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Intense and electric duel, but with organization and quality. Even in the debut, which marks Leeds United’s return to the Premier League, this was the expectation for Jürgen Klopp’s meeting with Marcelo Bielsa. Champions from last season in England’s two main divisions.
The Reds’ 4-3 win at Anfield lived up to expectations. Not only because of the “generous” score in goals, but mainly because of the bravery and also because of the teams’ ability to vary the game. Sometimes pressing in the attack field, sometimes closing spaces compacting sectors in the defensive phase. With the help of an arbitration that does not want prominence and favors decisions on the field, appealing less to the appeal of the VAR.
Liverpool won again by volume. Salah, Firmino and Mané’s mobility, active participation of the full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Robertson in the creation and even entering the rival area to finish: there were 22 conclusions, six on goal. And Van Dijk’s efficiency in aerial shots. Author of one of the goals, in addition to Salah’s hat-trick, two on penalties.
Leeds responded with courage in trying to control possession – they finished with 52% possession – and submission efficiency: six in total, three towards Alisson’s goal. Everyone in the networks, Harrison, Bamford and Klich. From 4-1-4-1 to 4-3-3, with Phillips assisting the defenders with the ball, always on the ground and with the participation of the French goalkeeper Meslier. Never stop attacking.
Make Klopp’s team suffer on the defensive. Still with some slowness in the response after the loss of the ball and, therefore, allowing Leeds at various times to release the pressure and reach the attack with numerical equality in relation to the defenders. And the Portuguese Hélder Costa giving work on the right.
But Rodrigo, a former Valencian and hiring surrounded by expectations, did not do well and made the decisive penalty on Fabinho. It is when the difference in investment and also in the consolidation of the five-year work weighed on the game that, even so, points to a possible greater balance in this edition.
As for Klopp and Bielsa, it will also be a season of games that will offer a high level of competition, but also entertainment. The first meeting was fantastic.
(Statistics: BBC)
