Liverpool vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction from fixture today
Follow all the action as Jurgen Klopp’s side aim to keep the pressure on Man City
And then, after six unanswered goals, it was down to three points. Pep Guardiola’s description that Liverpool are a “pain in the ass” required the addition of the word “almighty” on Wednesday night as they bulldozed Leeds and took a mega bite into Manchester City’s lead at the Premier League summit.
There was zero sign of anxiety or elevated pressure from those representing the home side on the pitch in a game that took on much greater significance after Harry Kane’s towering 95th-minute header at the Etihad injected life into the title race.
Instead, there was a fury and ferocity to tear into Marcelo Bielsa’s side and cause increased discomfort for City, as told in the first half stats alone: three Liverpool goals, eight shots on target versus none.
The ruthlessness was such that either side of Mohamed Salah’s penalties, a winding Joel Matip run had finally resulted in a fine finish after what seems a lifetime of him trying that.
Follow all the latest updates from Anfield below:
Liverpool vs Leeds
Liverpool are unbeaten in the last nine league meetings between the sides (six wins and three draws) and the last 11 in all competitions. The Reds have also won eight consecutive matches in all competitions, including each of their last five in the Premier League.
Jürgen Klopp’s men have already scored 64 goals in the league this season, which is their highest tally after 25 games since the 1904-05 campaign.
Liverpool vs Leeds: 50 up for Thiago
Thiago Alcantara makes his 50th for Liverpool tonight. What kind of impact will the midfielder have on the game?
Liverpool vs Leeds: Thiago brings effortless artistry as Liverpool’s central figure
“Adaptation. Connection. Purpose.”
In Brazil, Valeria Alcantara has shared several vignettes on the early sketches of a football intellect.
The volleyball star that represented her country 25 times would watch in wonderment as her son, only four, would speed into the house collecting shoes to line them up as cones.
Having just returned from watching his father, World-Cup winning Mazinho, train with Valencia, the boy would mirror the drills and dribble through the maze of footwear.
It would amaze Valeria what little Thiago would pick up as he grew, not only from a technical perspective but a professional one: paying attention to what his dad would eat or drink, listening to talks from managers, demanding critique on his sessions or performances:
Thiago brings effortless artistry as Liverpool’s central figure
Even in a team boasting Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at either end, Thiago’s control in the middle continues to see him stand out
Liverpool vs Leeds: Klopp on Thiago
Jurgen Klopp was asked at a pre-match press conference whether he felt that Thiago Alcantara was hitting his best form since signing for the club.
Klopp spoke about Thiago’s injury struggles and how that may have affected previous performances but also sai that his never doubted how good a player Thiago was. He said:
I am no so sure, I think last season in the last eight or nine games he played pretty consistently in all the games, if I am right, which as I remember it was a pretty good spell as well. We all agree, and Thiago agrees, there were moments when he struggled injury-wise. Then coming back, even with his quality, you cannot get rhythm all the time immediately – you get rhythm, but not immediately always.
“It’s very helpful if you can stay fit for a longer period. It is not too important if you play the first 60 or the last 30 or 45 or whatever because we have to try to find the right intensity for him.
“Even when we have now worked longer together, it is obviously not for ages and it is not that we know absolutely everything and that’s why we tried to – without keeping him outside when he is ready to play – do the right things and that’s worked out now in the last few games.
“He is a very, very good player, we were never in doubt about that, his skillset is insane but it is all about staying fit and that’s what we are working on together.”
Liverpool vs Leeds
Leeds arrive at Anfield ahead of tonight’s Premier League game against Liverpool.
Liverpool vs Leeds: Head-to-head
Leeds are winless in 11 matches against Liverpool in all competitions since a 2-1 league victory at Anfield in April 2001. They’ve drawn three and lost eight since.
Liverpool have won their three most recent Premier League home games against Leeds, scoring 10 goals in total.
The Reds have scored in each of the last 16 meetings in all competitions since a goalless top-flight draw at Elland Road in April 1999.
Liverpool vs Leeds: Team changes
Jurgen Klopp makes five changes to the Liverpool team that started against Norwich last time out. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson come back in defence and there is a new midfield three of Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Fabinho. Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all drop out.
Marcelo Bielsa makes two changes to his Leeds team. Robin Koch has a head injury so Raphinha comes back into the starting line-up and Junior Firpo replaces Diego Llorente in defence.
Liverpool vs Leeds: Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Jones, Salah, Mane, Diaz
Leeds XI: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Struijk, Firpo, Forshaw, Raphinha, James, Klich, Harrison, Rodrigo
Liverpool vs Leeds: Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to keep being a thorn in Manchester City’s side
Jurgen Klopp insisted he takes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s tongue-in-cheek remark about Liverpool FC being a “pain in the a**” as a compliment as the rival teams prepare for another Premier League title run-in.
Guardiola’s comment last week referred to the Champions League and the sides he thinks could be a threat to City finally getting their hands on the most prestigious prize in European club football.
But Klopp recognises how evenly-matched they have been in the last few seasons in the English top-flight and his side could close the gap on the league leaders to three points by beating Leeds in their game in hand on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to keep being a thorn in Manchester City’s side
Klopp feels City can only be toppled if Liverpool win all 13 of their remaining fixtures
Liverpool vs Leeds: Klopp on a title race with Man City
After reports that the title race was all but over in mid-December with Manchester City accummulating over a 12-point lead. Liverpool will be overjoyed with their position in the league. Trailing by six with the potential to cut the gap to just three points after tonight’s match.
Jurgen Klopp was asked about chasing the league leaders and if he thinks the title race is alive. He said:
For us it is, first and foremost, important that we are close to the top, whoever is at the top, because that obviously shows that something is going in the right direction.
“This year included, in the last four seasons we were one year not around because last year we had our problems and had some struggles. It [has been] going on for a while that both teams are able to do some special stuff, I have to say.
“With all respect, what City are doing is incredible. I think we are pushing each other as well, not only us – I don’t forget the other teams, I don’t forget Chelsea, I don’t forget [Manchester] United, Arsenal, Tottenham and whoever is there.
“We are pushing each other and that’s how it is going a little bit, it keeps you just going; there is no chance to get a bit soft or whatever because the other one will be there immediately to catch you.”
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