Premier League

Leeds United 1 (Llorente 87’)

Liverpool 1 (Mane 30’)

Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling (c), Bamford, Alioski (Klich 79’), Roberts (Hernandez 86’), Llorente, Dallas, Costa (Poveda 67’), Struijk, Harrison, Phillips.

Subs not used: Casilla, Koch, Davis, Berardi, Gelhardt, Shackleton. 

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Milner, Firmino, Mané (Salah 71’), Kabak, Jota (Oxlade-Chamberlain 81’), Robertson, Alexander-Arnold.

Subs not used: Adrian, Keita, Tsimikas, Shaqiri, Davies, R. Williams, N. Williams. 

A stoppage time equaliser from Diego Llorente gave Marcelo Bielsa’s side a fully deserved point, at home to current Premier League champions, Liverpool. 

Leeds United’s head coach made two changes to his starting XI from the win against Manchester City. Liam Cooper’s suspension meant that Pascal Struijk started in his place, whilst Jack Harrison was brought back in, replacing Raphinha. 

Illan Meslier made the first save of the match, inside five minutes. Thiago found space 25-yards or so from goal and struck his shot cleanly, forcing Meslier to be alert and tip over the bar. 

The visitors were also the side to have the next effort of note, this time Diogo Jota cutting in from the wing but a solid block from Diego Llorente stopped his effort, in what was a relatively quiet opening 20 minutes of the game. 

Excellent anticipation from England midfielder Kalvin Phillips saw Leeds have their first chance. Intercepting Fabinho’s pass, Phillips played in Patrick Bamford but his touch alluded him, when one-on-one with Alisson and the ball was cleared.

Liverpool did take the lead, on the 30 minute mark. A defence splitting pass from Jota caused the problem, as he picked out Trent Alexander-Arnold in behind, who squared the ball for Sadio Mane to finish into an unguarded net. 

The play was relatively even, but it was the visitors who looked most like extending the lead. However, following an intricate bit of play down the left-wing, Tyler Roberts found space on the edge of the box and had a low effort well saved by Alisson. 

Stuart Dallas, Gjanni Alioski and Roberto Firmino were all carded in the first 45. No further chances before the whistle saw the teams go in level.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool

The second half half began with Firmino having a chance to make it two, but Meslier was once again well positioned and made a solid save to deny him. 

Down the opposite end, Leeds looked to threaten from set-plays. Both Alioski and Luke Ayling were inches away with their crosses from finding Leeds players for tap ins. 

From more crosses into the box, Alexander-Arnold was checked by VAR for a handball claim against him, whilst from the resulting corner Helder Costa turned an effort over the bar at the back post. 

With just over 20 minutes remaining, a slick move between Roberts and Harrison allowed the winger to have a chance on goal, but Alison stayed big and denied the strike. 

Changes on both the home and away bench saw Ian Poveda come on in place of Costa, whilst Mane departed for Mo Salah to come on for the Reds. 

With 15 minutes left, Leeds’ best chance arrived. Bamford controlled a delightful chip over the top from Ayling and shot, but his effort cannoned back off the bar and away from goal. 

An even better chance then came just seconds later. Great work from Poveda saw him set up an opportunity for Roberts, who took one touch before shooting, which Alisson saved again. 

Finally, the pressure paid off with just three minutes to go! From an in-swinging Harrison corner, Llorente leapt highest in the box and powered a header into the bottom corner to equalise for the Whites, and it was fully deserved!

No major chances were created in stoppage time, meaning referee Anthony Taylor brought the clash to an end.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Liverpool

Booked: Dallas, Alioski (Leeds United) Firmino (Liverpool)

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Venue: Elland Road