This was the only Premier League game on this Sunday afternoon, and I went to it and it was my first game back at Elland Road in around 20 months, I was looking forward to it as was expecting and hoping for an end to end game.
Leeds hadn’t started the season particularly well and Liverpool have 7 points from their 1st 3 games, so what type of game would we end up with?
Would Leeds get their 1st win of the season, or would Liverpool continue their good start and keep up the pace with the early leaders?
It was played at an always atmospheric Elland Road
After 3 minutes, Ayling played a long ball over the top for Bamford, but he shot wide.
Two minutes later, Raphinha squared it to Rodrigo, but he shot straight at keeper.
After 7 minutes, the 1st Liverpool attack as Alexander-Arnold did a dangerous cross into the box, but Jota wasn’t committed enough to get onto the end of it.
Just before the quarter hour, Phillips passed towards Bamford who couldn’t quite connect with it.
On the quarter hour, Salah played a chipped pass to Jota who’s scuffed effort saved by Meslier.
1st Liverpool goal
After 20 minutes, it had been a fast and frenetic beginning to the game, but Liverpool led as Alexander-Arnold crossed and Salah stuck a foot out to score.
Four minutes later, Leeds gave ball away again and moans from the crowd as Liverpool came forward again and Salah crossed and Thiago headed into the net, but Salah was offside.
Two minutes later, another big Liverpool chance as Jota crossed and Mane got under it and it went miles over.
After 38 minutes, Elliott had a shot from outside area which went just wide.
The last attacking move of the 1st half was a Leeds 1 and it was good buildup by Leeds and the cross came in from Rodrigo and Ayling was at far post, but it came off his knee and over the bar, why didn’t he head it?
Halftime score: Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool
It was a frantic and frenetic 1st half in which Leeds started well but after that Liverpool dominant, could Leeds get into Liverpool more 2nd half?
After 48 minutes, Harrison delivered a 1st time cross and Bamford headed it from centre of box but just over.
2nd Liverpool goal
Before this goal, Liverpool had a couple of attempts blocked and the 4th one went out for a corner, and from the corner, Van Dijk headed the ball down and Fabinho’s 1st effort was blocked but his 2nd effort went into the net, and it was going to be a long way back for Leeds.
Five minutes later, Dallas got into the area, crossed and Roberts headed straight at Alisson.
Leeds red card
Just before the hour, Fabinho played a ball with outside of his boot to Elliott who got tackled by Struijk and straight away, Salah was distressed and the physios came on straight away. VAR reviewed it the referee sent Struijk off, and Sky didn’t show the tackle again, but from where I was sitting it looked like a good tackle, it might have just been the angle of the tackle that made it a red card.
It was later revealed on BBC website that it was a dislocated ankle that Elliott suffered, and to their credit Leeds fans applauded him as he was being stretchered off.
After 75 minutes, Salah had a curled effort deflected for a corner which came to nothing.
3rd Liverpool goal
There were 8 minutes of time added on for the injury and subs, and in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Mane turned and scored in the corner past Meslier
Fulltime score: Leeds United 0-3 Liverpool
So a disappointing result for Leeds but perhaps not so unexpected as it was against 1 of the big six teams, but Liverpool looked excellent . Still no win for Leeds this season.
Leeds dropped to 17th after Saturday’s results and stayed there after Sunday and Liverpool upto 3rd.
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrMRjjBQyko
Next up for Leeds is a game that already looks like must-win as they go North to the North East to face Newcastle who are like Leeds winless in their 1st four games on Friday night with a 8pm kickoff.
