Leeds United

13.2km covered, 33 duels: Leeds United man epitomises Jesse Marsch’s required intensity

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Leeds United helped to alleviate the pressure on Jesse Marsch with a fantastic victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Leeds took the lead early on through Rodrigo, as he pinched Joe Gomez’s loose pass to Alisson and converted into an empty net. A shock lead.

Liverpool swiftly equalised under 10 minutes later through Mohamed Salah, and looked the more likely to score again after that. They were thwarted by Leeds’ goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, who remained equal to anything thrown his way as he put in a Man of the Match display for the Whites.

Leeds snatched the victory in the 89th minute when Crysencio Summerville remained calm and composed inside the Liverpool box to poke the ball into the far corner and make it 2-1. The winner, the day before his 21st birthday, was his second goal in as many games, and sparked raucous scenes in the away end.

The three points were Leeds’ first away from home this season, and gave them their first win in eight games in the league since a 3-0 win over Chelsea in August. The victory took Leeds out of the relegation zone and up to 15th.

There were a number of strong performances on the day for Marsch’s side as they recorded an important win. One of the most famous in Leeds’ recent history. However, not many impressed more than Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson.

The big updated Brenden Aaronson quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

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What year did Aaronson leave the MLS to sign for Red Bull Salzburg?

According to Wyscout, the American international completed 87% of his 23 attempted passes, including two out of three into the final third. His contribution to the side has been vital since his arrival.

In Jesse Marsch’s counter-pressing system, he requires players who will run all day and in a structured and intelligent manner. Not much epitomises the 22-year-old more than his work off the ball. He recovered the ball four times, and completed three interceptions.

A major cog in a high intensity team, Aaronson covered a distance of 13.2km, according to Jonny Cooper. A figure which is the most of any player in the Premier League so far this season.

It should come as no surprise that he was everywhere on the pitch with his simply unbelievable engine, where he also attempted 33 duels with the opposition players.

Not just an off the ball presence, the Liverpool fan also attempted three dribbles, including a wonderful one in the first half to send Rodrigo away. He also had four touches in the penalty box, one of which was an incredibly difficult volley which thundered off the crossbar.

His key impact was prior to that and crucial to the shock lead mentioned at the top of the article. It was Aaronson’s relentless running that piled pressure on Gomez and, ultimately, set the tone for the evening.

Is Aaronson Leeds' best signing of the summer?

Yes

Yes

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