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LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) – Leeds United waited 16 years to return to the Premier League to compete with the best, and while they suffered a 4-3 loss to Liverpool, it was clear from Saturday’s demonstration that the United Marcelo Bielsa is an exciting addition to the top flight.
The promoted club returned three times to equalize the champions, enjoying most of the possession and playing with relentless verve and energy and without the slightest hint of stage fright.
The only pity was that this throbbing match took place, like any other match this weekend, in an empty stadium; this was exactly the kind of shock that would have had Anfield on its feet.
It can often come across as condescending when a winning coach praises defeated opponents, but Juergen Klopp’s post-match comments were a heartfelt appreciation of Leeds’s approach to the game.
“Leeds are special,” Klopp said.
“I congratulated each of their team, what a team it is. Incredible. I will see them quite often during the season.”
Beilsa’s team defended with a deep line, but while other teams that have taken that approach at Anfield have taken refuge for a long day of defense, Leeds brought the game to Liverpool.
It’s an approach that extends the field, creating open areas in midfield that can be very risky against a team of Liverpool quality.
But it worked, for the most part, because Leeds covered a lot of ground with their impressive work rate and because they had the skill and organization to move the ball quickly through the lines.
“I said before the game, we will all fight them, 100%, because the way they play is just awkward. It’s different from all other teams,” Klopp said.
It was an approach that worked: it forced Liverpool away from their usual high-press tactic and left them needing to operate more deeply.
DEFENSIVE ERRORS
“We can’t just push them into their own box every time because that’s where they play, it’s impossible … so we needed a compact formation,” Klopp said.
Such has been the focus on Argentina’s Bielsa and his demanding system that the individual quality of the Leeds team, which won the Championship title last season, is often downplayed.
But while they ultimately paid the price for defensive mistakes, there were some excellent performances from a team that bowed in the top flight.
Winger Luke Ayling went up and down the right wing and Polish international Mateusz Klich added a well-scored goal to an excellent performance in midfield.
Jack Harrison’s brilliant solo goal capped off an excellent performance of inventiveness combined with aggressive pressure that epitomized Leeds’ approach.
“They have made a real statement,” said former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness, now an expert on Sky Sports television.
“You can say Liverpool were not at their best, but they weren’t allowed to be at their best. Leeds chased them for much of that game. I don’t think they enjoyed the experience.
“Liverpool normally do that to the teams they play. They normally put the teams under pressure and work harder than they do. Tonight Liverpool were outmatched,” he said.
However, Bielsa did not add to the praise of his team.
“I can never be happy in defeat,” said the former Athletic Bilbao and Chile coach, who highlighted his team’s defensive mistakes and felt that the champion deserved victory.
“There were periods when Liverpool dominated. There were many periods when the game was even. At times we were able to be superior. Overall, although Liverpool were superior.”
A fair assessment, but after seeing their first outing of the season, other Premier League teams will not be looking forward to their meeting with Leeds.
(Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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