IT WAS 20 years ago that a Leeds centre forward made the difference in a seven-goal thriller against Liverpool.
But this time it happened at the wrong end and hat-trick hero Mo Salah had the last word in a game that will go down as a Premier League classic.
Mo Salah scored a hat-trick to bail out Virgil van Dijk and the Reds defenceCredit: PA:Press Association
Rodrigo gave away a stupid penalty with just three minutes remainingCredit: Getty – Pool
In the build-up, the second most common sight – after all those ‘Bielsa: Messiah or myth?’ articles – was the highlights reel from the day Mark Viduka scored all four for Leeds in a 4-3 win at Elland Road.
With time running out yesterday evening at Anfield, it was Viduka’s latest successor, £28million signing Rodrigo, who made his mark by bringing down Fabinho and giving Salah the opportunity to complete a treble with his second penalty.
The Egyptian King made no mistake and the champions of England began their first title defence for 30 years with a victory.
They deserved it on the basis of the number of chances they created but they were far from their best.
The defensive frailties that crept into their game at the end of last season were back, with Virgil van Dijk’s goal failing to disguise his failings at the other end of the pitch.
But it was the ability to win, win and win again, even when not playing well, that earned the Reds that historic crown, so you could argue this was simply further evidence of that crucial attribute.
What was not in doubt was the quality of the entertainment and the sense of regret that a match of this kind was played out in front of empty stands.
Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football met the white noise of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds and the result was a beautiful cacophony of a game.
Press for press, error for error, chance for chance, the winners of the Championship went toe-to-toe with the champions of England.
Leeds almost left with a point and will go away knowing that if they can improve their defending, they will cause every team in this league problems.
At times it was like basketball. You expected both teams to score every time they went forward.
Leeds’ new centre back Robin Koch is a headline writer’s dream but a nightmare opening 20 minutes to his Premier League career began when Salah’s shot deflected up off his right leg on to his outstretched right arm.
Even former Red Jamie Carragher thought a penalty was harsh. Not by the letter of the law and Salah smashed it down the middle.
But while the visitors’ early nerves at the back were understandable, the ineptitude of the Premier League’s meanest backline was flabbergasting.
Leeds had already threatened before their peach of a first equaliser.
Kalvin Phillips’ diagonal, quarterback-style pass to Jack Harrison was lovely but what the winger did with it was sublime.
The Egyptian wasted no time to get off the mark by slamming in an early penaltyCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Jack Harrison is congratulated after finding the equaliser following Kalvin Phillips’ excellent passCredit: Reuters
With one touch he flicked it past Trent Alexander-Arnold, with another he took Joe Gomez out of the game, and with his last he dispatched a low shot past Alisson.
If Koch had been unlucky with the penalty, he was unarguably at fault for Liverpool’s second as he allowed Van Dijk to head home Andy Robertson’s corner.
But the German could perhaps take consolation from the fact that the big Dutchman was having a stinker of his own.
The casual way he tried to flick away a ball dropping over his shoulder bordered on the arrogant.
Patrick Bamford intercepted and, having failed to pull the trigger earlier on when put through by Luke Ayling, produced an immediate finish that was good enough to find the net.
What has happened to Van Dijk, the so-called best defender in the world?
Fortunately for him, Leeds’ own lacklustre defending continued and parity lasted only two minutes.
This time it was Koch’s central defensive partner, Pascal Struijk, who blundered. His poor header fell to Salah, who rifled the ball viciously into the roof of Meslier’s net.
Virgil van Dijk’s headed crept over the line and was given thanks to goal-line technologyCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
Patrick Bamford pounced on Van Dijk’s error to make it 2-2 at AnfieldCredit: AFP or licensors
Less than 32 minutes gone, five goals.
It should have been six soon after the break when Gini Wijnaldum had a clear shot at goal but Meslier saved.
Liverpool were making the running but wasted decent openings to give themselves breathing space.
And how they paid for it. Leeds won the ball high up the pitch and Costa’s pass found Klich, whose first touch was excellent and whose second struck the ball emphatically into the net.
To the delight of all neutrals, there was still a quarter of the game to go.
Both sides had chances, Firmino fluffing what seemed to be the best of them in the dying minutes.
But a forward’s challenge by substitute Rodrigo on Fabinho gave Salah the chance to put a cherry on the top of a delicious game.
Liverpool buried the ghost of Mark Viduka – but not the feeling that they are vulnerable. Game on, for them and Leeds.
Salah found the postage stamp in the top corner to restore the Reds’ advantage before the breakCredit: EPA
Mat Klich volleyed home in style to net a third Leeds equaliserCredit: PA:Press Association
The flying forward kept his composure late on to slot home the late winnerCredit: Getty – Pool
Marcelo Bielsa looked crestfallen after his side’s valiant effort resulted in defeatCredit: AP:Associated Press
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa confirms that he will be staying at the club for the next year
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
