(Football news) Liverpool displayed a ruthless performance against Leeds United at Elland Road, defeating the hosts 6-1 and leaving them fighting for relegation. Jurgen Klopp’s side are hoping to secure an unlikely top four finish but have failed to score against a bottom six team in their last six attempts. However, all that changed this time around as the Reds already had a two goal lead before the game’s halfway point. Mo Salah and Diogo Jota scored a brace each and the side are now three points of Aston Villa (who are sixth) while Leeds are two points above the relegation zone.
The game had its share of controversy as Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to use his arm to control the ball leading up to the opening goal but VAR declined to intervene and the full back provided the assist for Gakpo in the 35th minute. The right back had a very good game, getting 153 touches of the ball in 90 minutes while Mohamed Salah continued his form, scoring his eighth goal in six appearances for Leeds. The hosts’ Luis Sinisterra managed to get a consolation goal in the 47th minute but it was too little too late.
Liverpool then began an onslaught with Salah scoring his fourth goal in the 64th minute while Diogo Jota scored his first goal in over a year in the 52nd minute. The Portuguese forward then scored his second goal in the 73rd minute. Speaking after the match, Jota said “It was a special second half, we played really well. We scored some great goals. It has been a hard season for me and the team so it is a relief for me to score.” Darwin Nunez then scored the final goal of the match, which was also his ninth Premier League goal.
Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “Best game we played this season, from many different aspects. Controlling the game, we caused a lot of mistakes from Leeds. Sensational goals. We counter-pressed the best we have for long ago. In the 92nd minute, we lost the ball and four players chased the ball.
“It was outstanding and exactly what we wanted. I can’t explain why our counter-pressing has not been there as we’ve been asking for it but tonight it clicked. It actually clicked in the second half against Arsenal. The direction we had in that game was because we won balls back. Where will we end up, I don’t know. But it will go on after the season.
“That’s why we need all the results and performances to build on and understand, so we can build something new, something slightly different. I would like to see us with the same desire, passion and understanding that we showed tonight. It’s our job to find that consistency.”
Leeds United manager Javi Garcia said “Very disappointed because we didn’t expect this result. It’s something we have to work on. Conceding these mistakes, it’s not easy to get good results. We need to improve as quickly as possible. Maybe the first goal came through handball, but after that we conceded many chances. We didn’t let ourselves compete again [after scoring].
“We felt like we could improve the game, but as I told you, after scoring we conceded another goal. It was impossible for us. We knew before these games, it’s not easy to manage in these moments. We try to work and improve. It’s hard. But I know there is only one way to achieve our objective – to stay together in good and bad moments.”
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