Leeds United v Liverpool and the impact on Massimo Cellino

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Leeds United owner’s enthusiasm for the club could be re-lit by their big draw.

Liverpool will face Leeds United in the EFL Cup quarter finals at the end of the month, in a fixture which brings back memories of thrilling encounters between the two teams more than a decade ago.

While Liverpool remain close to the top of the Premier League, Leeds have floundered in the lower leagues ever since their 2004 relegation.

A general view of the newly built stand at Liverpool football club’s Anfield Stadium

For Leeds this fixture is huge, and is the biggest cup game they have had since they hosted Manchester United in the same competition in 2011.

It is certainly the most eye catching since owner Massimo Cellino took control of the club in 2014, and could have a profound effect on the Italian.

Cellino has made no secret of the fact his dream is to see Leeds in the Premier League, and enjoy the competition which comes with being in the top flight.

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino

With Leeds just one point off the play-offs in the Championship, seeing the club compete at Anfield, whatever the result, could inspire Cellino to the end that he digs in even deeper at Elland Road.

There has been continued speculation that Cellino could sell Leeds, or a stake in the club, with The BBC reporting this summer that talks were at an early stage.

Over the past year, Cellino has given off an air of disillusionment, telling Eurosport that his family have been abused by fans, who desperately want him out, and have led protests against his ownership.

General view of a protest against Leeds owner Massimo Cellino before the match

Now with Leeds competing highly in the league, Cellino is to get a taster of how the fans rally behind the team on a big cup tie away to Premier League opposition.

Having waited so long for a night like this in his tenure, the fixture is surely going to want to make Cellino stick around to see if he can drive the team to experience more of the same, rather than imminently sell up.