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“El Loco” along the sideline requires madman on the field.
The meeting between Liverpool and Leeds was a complete madness.
Jürgen Klopp’s words echoed in his head for a few miserable minutes of the Anfield debut: Liverpool shouldn’t defend the league title, but attack it.
Were we all just a bunch of desperate soccer romantics who had been driven mad by Leeds and their eccentric Marcelo Bielsa? The question was reluctantly left in the air as midfielder Robin Koch began his career in England by grabbing the ball with his hand. The punishment was heavy but clear. Mohamed Salah, who along with the rest of Liverpool had completely eaten up the guests by then, thundered at 1-0.
What would be an exciting comeback for a classic club looked like a pretty pretty Saturday for the reigning champion.
At the same time: Liverpool can be here to attack titles. Leeds are obviously not in the Premier League to apologize.
Teddy bear on steroids
Right after a brief fight with the defender, Jack Harrison finally got the ball home. He quickly turned inside and despite Trent Alexander-Arnold trying to grab the white jersey, the Leeds player (on loan from Manchester City) managed to charge and shoot. Suddenly it was 1-1 on the board and the newcomer was back in the game.
The madness continued eight minutes later. Virgil van Dijk, who would prove to be in full swing with Patrick Bramford, among others, developed his 193 centimeters in the penalty area. Like Bamse on steroids, he pushed the ball and goalkeeper Illan Meslier into the net to make it 2-1.
The last Meslier soon retaliated with a great save, on the camber kick of his teammate Pascal Struijk. Then the game changed and Van Dijk misjudged a tall ball and the overall situation. Instead, striker Bramford appeared as the old man in the box and landed a shot that slowly irritated and rolled behind Alisson. So Leeds was back in the game.
Klopp may not have been completely satisfied with the defense’s vigilance. In any case, Salah was wide awake. With just over half an hour to play, he was given space in the penalty area and shot 3-2 in such a crazy host class.
Defense problems
It was difficult to know what they liked best about the game. Was it Liverpool’s joyous offense? Leeds frenzy? Or the tireless careers of Pablo Hernández, 35?
Klopp may not be entirely happy that management is hesitant to shell out a fairly reasonable sum for Thiago Alcantara. The positive, for the German, is that his attack still works perfectly.
However, Liverpool had so much trouble defending themselves for a long time.
In the 66th minute, Mateusz Klich crossed on the right and came very close to equalizing for the hosts, but was unable to clear the ball. Klich, who was then inside the penalty area, mercilessly struck the tie before anyone had time to blink. That’s where they were, Leeds. Safe stone in his 4–1–4–1, no frills. This at the same time that Bielsa screamed his feelings (mostly frustrated) on the sidelines. The fact that the coach threw Rodrigo himself in the absence of 30 indicates even more that this is a team to consider.
Printing the last ten …
Then Liverpool started their usual last-ten pressure. Van Dijk’s conceded goal could have been approved by another referee (substitute Curtis Jones dropped Koch according to Michael Oliver, who was good). However, it took a clumsy defense from Rodrigo for the home team to receive the second penalty tonight. The record and the hiring of prestige in general are, but it was not a good start for the Spaniard. Like Koch, it was difficult.
Of course, Salah stepped forward. Of course, he completed his triplet. In addition, he has scored goals in four league premieres, an achievement in itself. Save Liverpool from something as uncomfortable as losing points in the first round against a newcomer.
We still have to land on the fact that “El Loco” swept and drove the entire Premier League crazy. If this is what we can look forward to a week in and out of the spirited Leeds of Bielsa, the season will probably be one of the most fun to follow. In any case, until the players’ gasoline runs out.
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