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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 1
Sep 12, 2020 at 5.30pm UK
Anfield
Leeds logo

Liverpool
4 - 3
Leeds

Salah (4' pen., 33', 88' pen.), van Dijk (20')
Firmino (76')
FT(HT: 3-2)
Harrison (12'), Bamford (30'), Klich (66')

Marcelo Bielsa: 'Liverpool one of the best teams in the world'

Marcelo Bielsa: 'Liverpool one of the best teams in the world'
© Reuters
The Argentinian boss signed a one-year deal on Friday as United prepare for their first Premier League season in 16 years.

Marcelo Bielsa has refused to speculate about how he thinks Leeds will fare in their first season back in the Premier League.

Leeds face a baptism of fire on Saturday when they launch their long-awaited top-flight return at champions Liverpool.

Bielsa, who will remain at Elland Road for a third season after Leeds announced on Friday morning he had finally signed his new deal, has also declined to set his side any targets.

"I don't like to predict so far into the future because I don't know what is going to happen," said the Argentinian.

"It's very difficult to anticipate and predict what's going to happen when there is a change in league and change in quality."

Bielsa confirmed in his first media gathering as a Premier League head coach on Thursday that he would be staying for at least another season after guiding the club to their convincing Sky Bet Championship title triumph.

The 65-year-old, notoriously fastidious, played down any concerns over the delay.

The PA news agency understands his complex arrangement with the club to pay his backroom staff out of his own salary, reported to be more than £6million, had made for protracted negotiations.

Speaking via a new translator before Saturday's trip to Anfield, Bielsa kept his answers short and to the point.

He said his side will approach their opening games in the top flight with the same high-tempo, all-out offensive style they employed in the Championship.

"It's one of the difficulties we will face this season and we have to show we can continue to play the way we want," he said.

Club record signing Rodrigo and Germany defender Robin Koch are both in contention for their debuts and apart from Adam Forshaw, working his way back from a long-term hip injury, Bielsa will select from a full-strength squad.

On the daunting opening-day challenge at Liverpool, Bielsa said: "They are the champions, with a consistent style of play. Without a doubt they are one of the best teams in the world.

"It's the best league in the world and it always requires you to be at the highest level."

And on Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, Bielsa added: "With the work that Klopp has done everywhere he has worked, it has given him the opportunity to shine everywhere he has been.

"Any words that I add would just be repeating the praise he has already rightly received."

Bielsa, who said he had not taken a holiday since the club's promotion celebrations, was asked if he was a fan of Klopp's "heavy metal" brand of football.

"I have not got much culture in music so I wouldn't know," he replied.

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa pictured on July 4, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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