A potentially tricky game for Leeds United as they went to Anfield with injuries galore, but Liverpool haven’t been flying this season, and they needed points to close gap on the top 4, Leeds started in 19th but knew a win would take them out of the bottom three, so could Liverpool get a win, or would Leeds get a positive result to ease the pressure on Jesse Marsch?
It was played at Anfield under the floodlights on a Saturday evening
After 1 minute, Alisson launched a ball downfield , a mixup between Meslier and Cooper allowed Salah to try lifting the ball into the unguarded net but Struijk cleared it off the line.
1st Leeds goal- Rodrigo profited from error
Three minutes later, a howler for Liverpool as Gomez was pressured into a pass back to Alisson who slipped and ball ran into Rodrigo’s path who slotted home to give Leeds an early lead.
After 11 minutes, Adams released Harrison down right, he checked inside onto left foot and shot high and wide.
Liverpool equaliser- Salah hooked it into net
On the quarter hour, Meslier got fingertips to Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross but half clearance gathered by Robertson who crossed into 6 yard box with interest, and Salah beat his marker and hooked it past Meslier and Liverpool level.
A couple of minutes later, Harrison drove through midfield into Liverpool territory and Leeds had a 2 on 2 before Thiago tracked back to win possession.
After 21 minutes, Leeds so close to going back ahead as Kristensen crossed from right which was attacked superbly by Aaronson who popped in between Gomez and Alexander-Arnold and turned his effort onto the bar. A minute later, Leeds carved through Liverpool midfield as Rodrigo released Harrison into space down right, drove into area and tried firing home, but Alisson made vital save.
Just after the half hour, Nunez’ flicked header for Salah to chase but heavy touch allowed Kristensen to slide in.
Then Leeds gave ball away cheaply inside Liverpool half and a super 1st time cross from Alexander-Arnold played Nunez into scoring position, but hesitation allowed Meslier to close angle down to gather ball.
Four minutes later, Robertson clipped a lovely ball into 6 yard box and Thiago got head to ball, but tried squaring for team mate instead of going for goal.
After 39 minutes, Salah picked ball up 30 yards out, strode forward and whipped shot round couple of Leeds shirts, but Meslier well placed to save.
After 45 minutes, Robertson skipped round couple of challenges down left, and deflected cross whistled inches past post.
In 1st minute of stoppage time super counter by Leeds as Aaronson drifted away from Fabinho and Thiago before releasing Rodrigo in on goal, but unable to find a way past Alisson from tight angle.
Halftime score: Liverpool 1-1 Leeds United
It was a fascinating and cracking first half, both teams created chances and looked vulnerable, could Leeds hold on 2nd half and get a positive result?
After 49 minutes, Thiago released Nunez down left and played teasing ball across face of goal but Meslier cut it off.
Seven minutes later, Leeds opened Liverpool up and Summerville shifted ball to Kristensen and shot eventually diverted behind for corner which came to nothing. A minute later, Summerville sprinted away from Robertson but Van Dijk prevented ball reaching team-mate.
Just before the hour, Leeds spotted Alisson off his line twice and Harrison tried beating him from 40 yards from freekick before Bamford’s shot on swivel caught him off guard but alert to make 2 saves.
After 67 minutes, Cooper error released Nunez on goal, only had Meslier to beat but flew off his line to make smothering save.
Four minutes later, Salah carried ball to edge of box where Jones picked it up, before rolling back to Salah who shot deflected by Leeds.
After 79 minutes, lovely one touch move by Liverpool ended with Nunez lining up curler from distance, but Meslier launched across his line to tip ball behind for a corner, a minute later, chance for Bamford but poor touch. Liverpool putting pressure on, could Leeds hold out?
After 82 minutes, Leeds didn’t clear their lines, Nunez’ flicked header dropped to Firmino who didn’t catch first time volley well enough to test Meslier.
Four minutes later, Salah released down left, but low shot drilled across face of goal, which Meslier stopped with feet and behind for a corner.
A minute later, Milner produced sumptuous cross, Firmino attacked but Meslier got there first. Then, Milner’s crossfield pass reached Robertson on left, headed back into middle and Firmino was waiting and planted header toward goal, but Meslier saved first shot before gathering ball.
2nd Leeds goal- SUMMERVILLE
In the 89th minute, Gnonto crossed to Bamford who passed to Summerville who with outside of boot shot past Alisson and into the bottom corner and scored a day before his 21st birthday, were Leeds about to get three massive points?
In the 6th minute of stoppage time, Henderson shot 25 yards out but over.
Fulltime score: Liverpool 1-2 Leeds United
A second half where Liverpool had numerous chances, Meslier made some good saves and then Leeds go and get a smash and grab at the end for their 1st league win since August. It was a massive three points for Leeds and for Jesse Marsch as the pressure eased on him. It was Liverpool’s first home defeat in the league since March 2021.
The win takes Leeds upto 15th on 12 points.
Highlights of the game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkNbmph1QGQ
Next for Leeds is a home game as they welcome Bournemouth to Elland Road on Saturday 5th November 2022 with a 3pm kickoff.
