Latest News

Phil Hay offers fresh insight on Jesse Marsch’s future after Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool

|
Image for Phil Hay offers fresh insight on Jesse Marsch’s future after Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool

Leeds United helped to relieve the pressure on head coach Jesse Marsch with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Leeds took an early lead in the fourth minute through Rodrigo. He was gifted a goal when Leeds’ press caused an error and the Spaniard picked off Joe Gomez’s wayward pass to Alisson to put the ball into an empty net.

Liverpool equalised shortly after on 14 minutes through Mohamed Salah, and looked the more likely to score again, dominating the ball and the majority of chances. However, Illan Meslier was equal to everything they threw his way, making nine saves in a Man of the Match performance.

The Whites went on and snatched the winner with only a minute of normal time to spare. Crysencio Summerville scored his second in as many games, and oozed composure inside a congested box to prod home and make it 2-1.

The victory was Leeds’ first away from home this season, and first in eight games in the league since a 3-0 win over Chelsea in August. A huge three points in the context of the season, which took Leeds up to 15th and out of the relegation zone to ease the pressure on Marsch.

Phil Hay of The Athletic agrees that it has lifted some concerns at the club.

Was 2-1 a fair result against Liverpool?

Yes

No

No

Hay, speaking on The Phil Hay Show, believes the hierarchy intend to keep Marsch, and that was the message he received before the game, he said: “The club have said he is our man we are sticking with him, we are standing by him.”

However, he believes that despite that message, some points had to come or they would have had a decision to make on the American’s future, he said: “It still felt as if there was going to have to be something in this two-to-three week period, over the course of particularly the league games between Liverpool, Bournemouth and Tottenham, it felt as if something had to materialise.

“Something had to come back in terms of points, otherwise the league table was going to look pretty desperate.”

The game he had in mind in making the situation look less desperate was the home clash against Bournemouth, he said: “All of us had eyes on Bournemouth at Elland Road as opposed to Liverpool at Anfield but everything fell into place on the night.”

Despite the win removing some of the immediate pressure, it won’t mean much without a follow up win and performance against Bournemouth.

For many fans, there are still question marks over Marsch’s future and the long-term suitability of his football against most sides in the division. Leeds’ best displays have come against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

It has been gaining points and wins against sides around them which has been the issue. If Bournemouth play more direct in the coming game, it could prove to be another tough afternoon for his side.

However, the board and fans will be in unison in hoping Leeds have turned a corner and can work out a way to improve in the key clashes down the bottom end of the table.

Quiz: Can you remember Leeds United’s 13 results v Bournemouth ahead of clash number 14

1 of 14

Premier League, November 2022?

Share this article