Leeds 1-6 Liverpool: Empathic Reds fire six past Javi Gracia’s side.

The Whites who had been struggling to make a comeback, a surge from the relegation zone before now were further plummeted thanks to the aggression and ferociousness from the visitors.

Early Chances

Javi Gracia"s side had the first attempt of the game. Harrison waved in a plain freekick from the left, Rodrigo got on the end of it before anyone else as Alisson safely clasped the harmless header.

Liverpool"s decision to pursue joy down the right flank with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold making a couple of dangerous runs on that side of the pitch paid off. The Reds found the opener of the game in the 35th minute. Salah forced a turnover from Junior Firpo, racing towards the opponent"s box, he released Arnold on his right with a clean pass, the right-back finding Cody Gakpo in space for an easy tap-in.

Goals Continue

Four minutes later, it was Salah"s turn to get on the score sheet. Diogo Jota disposessed Sinisterra, initiating a counter attack. The Portuguese sprinted through to Leeds area, letting Salah loose on the box. The Egyptian collected the pass and smashed into a tight-left corner.

It looked as Leeds were going to spoil Klopp"s party returning from the halftime break. A defensive error from Ibrahim Konate, Sinisterra got one over the defender before curling a close-up shot past Alison.

Liverpool soon restored their two goal lead. The Reds got an opportunity to break loose down the right flank. Curtis Jones dinked a ball through to Jota arriving on the left and the striker tucked it away past Meslier.

Salah Again

Salah found his brace in the 64th minute thanks to a Cody Gakpo assist. Robertson teed up the former PSV man, cutting a pass back through the box, Gakpo connected with Salah and the striker just swirled it in with his left foot. But still the Reds weren"t done, not quite yet.

Liverpool had yet another promising opportunity in the 74th minute. Henderson"s ball swept through the edge of the box, avoided by Mohamed Salah. Jota got on the end of it, firing a low-shot which went in off the post.

It was substitute, Darwin Nunez"s turn to score and seal the deal later on, in the 90th minute of gameplay. Alexander Arnold scooped a pass through the defence. Nunez latched on to it. Keeping the ball under with his chest, the forward balanced before driving it into the net to complete the onslaught.

Despite an heavy win at Elland Road, Liverpool still sit tight in eighth place. The Reds have hopes of making the Europa League or the Conference League but UEFA Champions league qualification is well out of their reach. Leeds continue a struggle at the bottom of the table, the Whites being just two points away from demotion at the moment.

Quotes:

Javi Gracia:
Before the game we knew that it will be demanding for us to play against a very good team and if we didn"t give our best level it will be very difficult for us"
“We started competing in the game. We had some opportunities with Rodrigo, some options to attack the opposite box but after that when we conceded a goal, we lost composure".

“When we scored in the second half, we felt it was possible to compete again but another mistake gave them a chance to score the third and after it was very difficult to manage".

Jurgen Klopp:

“The moment of the game was in the 92nd minute. It was already 6-1, we lost the ball and four players chased it"

“Definitely the best game we"ve played this season, in possession probably as well, being calm and preared with little passes"

“We were calm in the decisive moments to pass exceptional balls"

The Reds host Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening as their aspirations for Europe continue while travel to Craven cottage to take on Fulham.

Main image credit Embed from Getty Images