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Report: Sixth Leeds player suffers hamstring injury, another blow for Bielsa

Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images
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The Athletic claim Diego Llorente was missing from Wednesday night’s 6-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield due to a hamstring issue. The Leeds defender is the sixth Whites star to suffer a problem with his hamstring this season.

Llorente, 28, has been a regular for Leeds when fit this season, featuring in 18 of the club’s 25 Premier League matches. But on Wednesday night, Spain international Llorente was not even on the bench as Liverpool ran riot.

Earlier in the season, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips suffered hamstring injuries – all of which remain on the sidelines but are expected at the start of March. Then, two more against West Ham.

Adam Forshaw and Junior Firpo were both taken off in the first half, being subbed off – which was coincidentally, Leeds’ last win in the Premier League. Now, Llorente is the latest player to pick up a hamstring issue.

The Athletic report that Llorente suffered the issue in the first half against Manchester United, which saw the Spain man go off during the 4-2 loss. He was missing against Liverpool and it remains to be seen when he returns.

Llorente suffers hamstring issue: Should Leeds be worried?

Criticism is coming the way of Bielsa. Even Leeds fans are beginning to grow frustrated – especially after Wednesday’s horrific defeat. Leeds are now three points above the drop zone – Burnley have two games in hand.

Now, perhaps, more criticism should be aimed at Bielsa for the work rate he forces out of his players – which could be the reason for multiple hamstring issues. Llorente joins Forshaw, Firpo, Cooper, Phillips and Bamford.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Diego Llorente of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on February 9, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images