Your Leeds United evening headlines for Thursday, 23 December.
Liverpool trip on Boxing Day is postponed after Covid outbreak
Leeds United’s trip to Liverpool in the Premier League on Boxing Day has been postponed after a fresh Covid outbreak, with the Aston Villa clash also now in doubt.
Marcelo Bielsa had not provided the latest injury update on the squad before the trip to Merseyside, but after 10 players were unavailable for the Arsenal loss, a Covid outbreak has put pay to any hopes of fielding a competitive line-up.
With the home match against Villa scheduled in five days' time a decision is yet to be made, but the tight turnaround puts that game under threat too.
A Whites statement said: “We are disappointed to confirm our Boxing Day fixture with Liverpool has been postponed following five new positive Covid cases within the first-team squad and staff.
“All of the cases we have experienced are asymptomatic, which we believe is due to our high vaccine take-up.
“The positive cases, combined with our well-documented injury issues, means we would not have enough recognised first-team players to meet the Premier League requirements for the fixture."
Andrea Radrizzani's Marcelo Bielsa succession is among most important tasks for 2022
While 2020 brought welcome change at Leeds United, 2021 has been a year of consolidation.
Maintaining the club's Premier League status was achieved as early as March, although Leeds are unlikely to complete that particular task so quickly next year.
2022 may well be a year of considerable upheaval at Elland Road. As ever, Marcelo Bielsa's one-year contract expires at the end of the season, while 49ers Enterprises' increased stake in Leeds United indicates greater involvement from the Stateside consortium in the near future.
On the pitch, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha will no doubt be subject to speculation surrounding their futures once the summer transfer window rolls around, ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In short, lots could change at the club over the next 12 months, but uncertainty is not necessarily a bad thing.
If 2022 is to be Andrea Radrizzani's fifth and final year in charge at Elland Road, he can ensure there is a smooth transition to full - or majority - 49ers' ownership with a succession plan for the Board, the management as well as the players and academy.
Whites told to sign a 'Jack Grealish-type' in January transfer window
Gabby Agbonlahor has told Leeds to go all out for the next "Jack Grealish, James Maddison or Emile Smith Rowe."
Marcelo Bielsa's side have struggled in front of goal this season and are in need of reinforcements if they're to stave off relegation.
The Whites are currently five points above the relegation places, but sides below them have games in hand.
Leeds United have been hampered by injuries this season and have only scored 18 goals in the Premier League.
Raphinha has scored eight of those goals himself and the Elland Road faithful are crying out for more options in attack.
One of the main areas the Whites need to address is the No.10 position. Former Valencia man Rodrigo has played there on a number of occasions for Bielsa, but it's clear his best position is as an out and out striker.
