Leeds United pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. The three points ended the rot of eight games without a win for American coach Jesse Marsch. Furthermore, it was Leeds’ first win over the Reds in 21 years.
Crysencio Summerville scored in the 89th minute on the eve of his 21st birthday. His goal, his second this season, relieved some of the pressure on the traveling team.
Winless since August, and following a 3-2 loss to Fulham the previous weekend, Leeds crawled towards the relegation zone. The alarm bells began to ring with the fans asking for the title to fire the American. The chants of Marcelo Bielsa echoed through the King Power Stadium following Leeds’ loss to Leicester two weeks ago. The visiting fans sang hymns of praise to their beloved former Argentine coach.
However, Marsch claimed that the board was unified behind him after the win over Liverpool. The three points could be the launching pad for a change of fortune for his team.
Bad form extends beyond this campaign
Leeds dodged relegation in May, however find themselves in a more precarious position compared to this time last season. Marsch got away with it in the summer draft. However, the players have not been able to give results on the pitch since the new season. The one exception was the 3-0 thrashing of Chelsea in late August.
Patrick Bamford looks like a shadow of his former self, goalless this season. Meanwhile, Leeds’ most gifted striker, Raphinha, left for Barcelona in the summer. Rodrigo Moreno has only shown his quality in parts. Thus, Leeds were goalless up front in the attacking force.
Summerville has been a revelation in recent weeks. He looks set to claim his place in the starting XI in the next two games. With Luis Sinisterra out injured, the Dutch winger made only his second start of the season. Before that, he made six substitute appearances in the current campaign. The 21-year-old followed up his consolation goal against Fulham with a big winner at Anfield.
Tyler Adams has been the standout player for Leeds this season. He shone in an arduous task of causing Fabinho and Thiago to throw tantrums in Liverpool’s midfield. Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson also put on impressive displays. However, his results this season are inconsistent. Both must complement Adams if Leeds can build on this victory.
defensive problems
Defensively, the Whites also had a bad time. Marsch’s men have conceded 19 goals this season for a total goal differential of -4. Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch have not been up to the task this season. At the same time, Luke Ayling has been anonymous in several matches at right back.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier had an outstanding performance on Saturday. He held off Liverpool’s vaunted attack several times. It silenced any backline turmoil, which persisted at Anfield.
However, Rasmus Kristensen, the new summer signing from Red Bull Salzburg, put in his best performance in a Leeds shirt. The Austrian right back provided a brilliant cross in the first half for Aaronson. The American hit the bottom of the crossbar, unfortunately for Leeds. However, Kristensen shone against Mohamed Salah, foiling a particularly crucial attack from the Egyptian. A Liverpool goal in that stadium and the result could have been different.
Under Bielsa, Leeds would be pragmatically built from behind. One of the central defensive midfielders steps back to retrieve the ball. The full-backs then push high to join the attack. This season, however, Leeds lack cohesion between defense and midfield. The opposition has taken advantage of the space left behind.
Marsch hopes Leeds United can build on Liverpool’s win as he travels to Bournemouth next weekend.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua
