Liverpool had a game to forget last time in the Premier League, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on the road. The Reds were adrift of the top four at the moment due to their stuttering start to the campaign but could close the gap with a victory. Jurgen Klopp's men responded to their loss in the Champions League by beating Ajax on the road. He was looking for a similar performance from his side tonight.
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Liverpool were unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against Leeds United (W7 D3) since a 2-1 home defeat in April 2001.
To keep that record going, Liverpool made one change to their side from their win over Ajax during the week. Henderson was dropped out of the side and replaced by Thiago in the middle of the park. Konate returned to the bench to bolster the defensive options behind Gomez and Van Dijk.
LIVERPOOL XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Harvey Elliott; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez.
SUBS: Ibrahima Kontate, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Fabio Carvalho, Nathaniel Phillips, Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Reds to face Leeds tonight 👊🔴#LIVLEE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 29, 2022
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Jesse Marsch was under pressure in the dugout as Leeds lost four matches on the bounce in the Premier League. The Whites suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Fulham last time out, leaving them second bottom of the table. Marsch needed a result quickly to propel his team back up the table and quieten the calls for a return for Marcelo Bielsa from the Leeds supporters. However, it was an incredibly tough task at Anfield.
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To pursue the impossible, Leeds made two changes to their side from defeat to Fulham last time. Summerville got the nod to replace Luis Sinisterra in the final third, who missed out. Greenwood dropped to the bench as Adams returned to the park's middle.
LEEDS XI (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk; Tyler Adams, Marc Roca; Jack Harrison, Brendan Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville; Rodrigo Moreno.
SUBS: Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford, Diego Llorente, Joel Robles, Degnand Wilfried Gnonto, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Mateusz Klich.
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI... pic.twitter.com/Qly2DNuLFC
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 29, 2022
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Both teams were in dire need of a win, and the game was saying it all. In the opening minute, Meslier and Cooper combined for a colossal mix-up, which left Salah with a chance to hook the ball into an empty net. He steered an effort toward goal after Cooper headed the ball away from his own keeper on the charge. However, Struijk got back on the line to head it behind. So close!
Just a minute or two earlier, Liverpool missed out on a present from Leeds; now they were offering trick or treat. Leeds tricked the Reds and got their treat.
HIGHLIGHTS
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! RODRIGO CAPITALIZED ON SOME MISTAKES!!!!!! 1-0 LEEDS!!!!! The visitors took a surprise lead at Anfield as Rodrigo converted into an empty net. Gomez was at fault as he played a loose back pass to Alisson and the Liverpool keeper slipped on the slick pitch. Rodrigo latched on to the ball and slotted the ball home. Halloween bonus for the Whites, but it got scary for the Reds.
👌 The assist! 🔥 The finish! pic.twitter.com/LhJTVRRnG4
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 30, 2022
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Another day, same disappointment for Liverpool. They have conceded the first goal eight times in their 12 Premier League matches this season!
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Liverpool wanted a quick solution. They were keeping the Leeds defenders on knives. Throwing all they could. Within just ten minutes, their prayers were answered. GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! SALAH EQUALISESD FOR LIVERPOOL!!!!! 1-1!!! The Reds were back on level terms as Salah converted in the six-yard box. Robertson collected on the left flank and floated a cross into the middle. It traveled just above Fabinho's head, but Salah was behind the midfielder unmarked to steer home on his left foot. Game on!!
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Against no opponent has Mo Salah scored more Premier League goals at Anfield for Liverpool than against Leeds (6 - level with Watford).
Liverpool were struggling for rhythm in the final third. Salah, Firmino and Nunez were not quite working in sync yet. It's all square at the break, but the Whites came closer to regaining their advantage. Brendon Aaronson struck the bar, while Jack Harrison and Rodrigo were both denied by Alisson.
The two-goal-keeper was outstanding. They were the main reason behind the strikers' upset. But MeslierIllan was on a different mode, outshining each and every one. MESLIER TO THE RESCUE AGAIN & AGAIN!
🥶 @MeslierIllan pic.twitter.com/5G69wOGGqX
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 31, 2022
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09 Saves
04 Clearances
01 Tackle
15 Recoveries
45 Touches
25 passes
🔥 With 72% of the vote, Illan Meslier was your @Boost_Drinks Player of the Match against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/CtAL1V2CEf
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 30, 2022
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Everything was going smoothly for Leeds, but the horror was waiting for Liverpool in the dying minutes. GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! SUMMERVILLE FIRED LEEDS AHEAD!!!!!!!! 2-1!!!! He produced a good turn and finished on his right foot to find the bottom-right corner, sending the away fans into rapture. Gnonto worked a cross into the box from the left flank that Bamford steered towards Summerville. The winger took over in the inside-left channel and took his strike early. It had enough power to burst through Alisson's outstretched hand to find the net. Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! That's football for you! The beautiful game. Just breathtaking!
🤯 "That is sensational!" pic.twitter.com/onfkRI5jvG
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 30, 2022
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What a performance from the boy who got his chance just because of his injured teammate. Hope he will get more opportunities to shine.
🔢 Crysencio Summerville's late goal secured a dramatic victory for @LUFC at the weekend. 👇 #LUFC #MOT pic.twitter.com/xAJpAM96y0
— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) October 31, 2022
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Liverpool needs to find a solution soon. I will not be surprised to see them splashing cash after the World Cup. Liverpool are next in action on Tuesday at home to Napoli in the Champions League. Leeds host Bournemouth in their next Premier League outing next Saturday. This motivation should be enough to see them through Bournemouth, hopefully.