Player ratings: Leeds 0-3 Liverpool
A comfortable victory in the end then but one that was overshadowed by what looked a bad injury to young Harvey Elliott. More on that later however. Let’s see how the lads got on…
Alisson (7) – Fairly quiet day for Ali, routine save first half from Leeds only shot on goal of the half. Some really nice long passes from him and had to be on his toes to keep out Bamford’s audacious chip but apart from that it was slipper city for Alisson today.
TAA (8) – Started the game really brightly as we found a lot of joy down our right hand side. Put a wicked early ball in that Jota possibly could have got had he kept going and then the low accurate cross for the opening goal. Looks to have the bit between his teeth this season, does Trent. Give someone else a shot with a free kick though.
Matip (8) – Joel oozed class today, lovely one two with Salah and then laid it on for Trent in the build up to the opening goal and popped up at the edge of Leeds box on a couple of other occasions in the game. Defensively he never had to get out of third gear. Long may he remain fit!!
Van Dijk (7.5) – Much like Matip, never really had to get out of second gear defensively. Will be frustrated he didn’t score with a free header from a corner, although it was his knockdown that led to Fabinho’s goal. Great to have the big man back, our defence looks so solid again.
Robertson (7) – Hasn’t been quite the attacking force we know he can be yet this season but spot on defensively. Kept Rafinha quiet for pretty much the whole game and one brilliant back post defensive header.
Fabinho (8) – Excellent throughout, brings so much to our midfield with his obvious physicality and defensive work but his touch and passing are an underrated part of Fabinho’s game. Topped off a fine individual display with a goal, bundling in it in at the second attempt, much to everyone relief.
Elliott (7) – We’ve said enough about the sickening injury so I won’t linger on it, although Klopp seemed to suggest the ankle was dislocated and the medics had been able to put it back in but until we’ve had news of the scan we won’t really know. Our thoughts are obviously with him and wish him a speedy recovery. Regards his game prior to the injury, he was showing moments of individual quality and the link up play between himself, Trent and Salah was excellent first half. It was the first game I thought I could see him struggling a little bit with the intensity though, towards the end of the first half.
Thiago (8.5) – Thiago gets a lot of unwarranted criticism in my opinion and I thought he was outstanding today. The game was won with our midfield control today and it’s what true technicians do. No matter what the opponent throws, they have an answer. His touch and close control are sublime, never gets flustered. Unlucky to have had a collectors item of a headed goal chalked off after Salah strayed offside in the build up but then capped his display with an assist for Mane after beautifully bringing down and cutting back a Hendo cross. There were a number of candidates today but given that was Thiago’s first start of the season, against such an intense team, I’ve decided to agree with Gary Neville for once and award Thiago McAlcantara this week’s McMOTM.
Salah (8) – Was giving Leeds a torrid time first half and was rewarded with his goal. Will be annoyed with himself for not getting back onside in time in the build up to Thiago’s disallowed goal as he had time to. I used to criticise Salah’s first touch but it’s much improved. That high Thiago pass he plucked out the air, oh my days… Joined the Premier league 100 club today as well, another milestone in what has been an incredible LFC career and I’m sure he’ll have his eyes on getting the next couple he needs for 100 LFC goals next game.
Jota (7) – It’s noticeable how much less Jota is involved in the build up play than Bobby but he has a much more direct style. One brilliant run showcased his dribbling ability and tested the keeper with a decent first half effort but does tend to drift in and out of games.
Mane (8) – My god, he didn’t half have to work for his goal today but while he was almost laughing himself towards the end as the ball just wouldn’t go in for him, he never let his head drop, kept going at Leeds, getting the chances and finally one went in for him. He’ll know he could and probably should have had at least a hat trick today, as he racked up more attempts on goal than Leeds managed as an entire team but that’s 2 goals in 4 games so far this season, so he should be happy with the start he’s made to his season. Maybe stay behind after training this week though and do a little extra work on your finishing 😉
Subs:
Henderson (7) – He was about to come on anyway but our captain would have been needed regardless you feel, after what happened to Elliot. We needed his leadership and experience to manage the game out and he provided just that.
Ox (N/A) – Needs game time to find some sharpness and rhythm. Has barely played in too long now.
Keita (N/A) – Good to see him back safe after events in his homeland.
Kloppwatch (9) – I said in the Chelsea ratings that I though Klopp got his midfield lineup wrong but he got it bang on today. He sacrificed the industry of Hendo and Keita for the technicians, knowing if Leeds want to play one v one at high intensity, then simply have better footballers that don’t get flustered up against them and that’s basically how it played out as we were simply better all over the pitch. Looked visibly upset after the game when talking about Elliott.
Summary
A fine result in the end then, although if Leeds had lost 8-0 they couldn’t have had any complaints as were were cutting through them at will. More so when it was 11 v 11.
It was one of those games however, where the game becomes an afterthought to the welfare of the player and as I said above, our thoughts are with young Harvey tonight, as we await the news on the extent of his injury. I think it’s safe to assume he’s facing an extended spell on the sidelines however, which is tragic given the way his season started.
Anyway, injury aside our fine start to the season continues. Three wins and a draw, nine scored and one conceded, there really isn’t much cause to complain.
Palace up next then, who after a slow start under Viera, sprang to life yesterday with a 3-0 Victory over Spurs so they are not to be taken lightly. I fully expect another three points however. Until then, our thoughts remain with young Harvey. YNWA lad.
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