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Jurgen Klopp singles out Leeds United man for sympathy after Liverpool decimation

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Image for Jurgen Klopp singles out Leeds United man for sympathy after Liverpool decimation

Leeds United were battered once again at home as Liverpool ran out 6-1 winners at Elland Road on Monday night.

Defeat to Crystal Palace was clearly a damaging result last weekend, to the point where Javi Gracia’s side haven’t been able to pick up the pieces as of yet.

A home clash with Liverpool presented another tough game for Leeds, knowing Jurgen Klopp’s side could easily put on a similar high-scoring performance.

Liverpool hit Leeds for six

An encouraging start by Leeds was the story once again at Elland Road as the home side put up a solid resistance in the first half an hour, but were undone swiftly by two mistakes in possession giving Liverpool their chance to catch Leeds in transition.

First, Junior Firpo’s pass was cut out by a very obvious handball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, before the right-back exchanged passes and then put the ball on a plate for Cody Gakpo – the goal was inexplicably given.

Then, Weston McKennie’s night was summed up by his poor pass in the middle being cut out before Mo Salah was played in and he slammed home down Illan Meslier’s near post.

Leeds got back into the game after half time when Luis Sinisterra stole possession and chipped Alisson, but that hope was brief as Diogo Jota capitalised on more terrible defending.

Further goals from Salah, Jota, and Darwin Nunez sealed an emphatic 6-1 scoreline as the Reds kept up their intensity right until the end.

How has Klopp reacted?

Georginio Rutter came on for another ill-fated cameo off the bench as he aimed to provide Leeds with some sort of focal point after Rodrigo was hooked, but to no avail.

His night was summarised well by the 92nd minute when Liverpool hounded the striker with his back to goal, harrying him out of possession and to the ground, much to Klopp’s delight.

Speaking after the game, Klopp said (via Premier League Productions):

“I don’t know where to start, the whole game was brilliant.

“Apart from that (Sinisterra’s goal). We were in super control of the game. We played brilliantly. Calm. The counter-pressing was the best for ages, ages. Loved it. 

“My favourite situation of the game is the 92nd minute. We lose the ball and four players chase the boy (Rutter). The poor Leeds United boy on the ball down and it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Will Leeds stay up?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Rutter coming on and doing nothing again is just a sign of how poor we are at the moment, and he’s become a scapegoat for no reason.

It’s not his fault we spent £36million on the wrong sort of player, and it’s certainly not his fault we have been battered twice on the spin now either, but he didn’t cover himself in glory in that cameo.

Liverpool hounded us all game, and we had no answer to get out of trouble, so that scoreline was just about right.

“Quiz:

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.