Premier League

Leeds United 1 (Sinisterra 47’)

Liverpool 6 (Gakpo 35’, Salah 39’, 64’, Jota 52’, 73’, Nunez 90’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Koch, Aaronson (Rutter 66’), Roca, Harrison (Gnonto 77’), Rodrigo (C) (Summerville 66’) Struijk, Sinisterra (Forshaw 77’), Kristensen, McKennie. Subs not used: Robles (GK), Ayling, Cooper, Wober, Greenwood. 

Liverpool: Alisson (GK), Fabinho (Thiago 85’), van Dijk, Konate, Salah (Nunez 81’), Henderson (C) (Milner 81’), Jones, Gakpo (Diaz 81’), Jota (Firmino 81’), Robertson, Alexander-Arnold. Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), Elliott, Tsimikas, Matip. 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,657

Referee: Craig Pawson

Booked: Fabinho (Liverpool)

Liverpool were Leeds United’s latest opponents in game number 31 of their 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The visitors put in a clinical counter-attacking display to take the three points at Elland Road. 

Javi Gracia’s side had the first chance of the match. Jack Harrison’s free-kick found the head of Rodrigo in the box and he flicked a header at goal, forcing Alisson to make an early stop. Shortly after, Rodrigo had another chance, drilling just wide of the post this time.  

Both teams looked attempted to settle into the match and work one another out. The atmosphere inside Elland Road was electric as always with both sets of supporters in full backing of their team. 

Next to go close was Luis Sinisterra. He collected a clever pass from Brenden Aaronson and struck left-footed, but the ball flew over the top of the bar. After Leeds had started brightly, the away side would go ahead in the game with a quick counter attack up.

Trent Alexander-Arnold won the ball back off Junior Firpo, but it appeared to be with an arm. Despite the protests, he exchanged passes with Mo Salah before Cody Gakpo was in space at the back post to tap home, at close range, from Alexander-Arnold’s low cross. 

One became two shortly after. After playing a part in the build up to the opener, Salah was the scorer this time. He was played into space by Diogo Jota before running into the box, then unleashing a powerful left-footed strike which found the top corner.  

In a half where Leeds had battled and created opportunities, they were frustrated to go in two goals down at the interval, but the visitors had taken their chances when presented with them.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-2 Liverpool

The second half began in strong fashion for the Whites, getting back into the game. Sinisterra was alert and won the ball high up the pitch before racing into the box and delicately chipping the ball over the onrushing Alisson, into the net. 

Despite the route back into the match for the hosts, another quick counter attack would restore Liverpool’s two-goal advantage. Curtis Jones this time played the ball in behind the Leeds defence, finding Jota, who struck home first time. 

Looking to respond again, Leeds went within inches of a second. Aaronson controlled well outside the area before striking well, seeing his effort hit the corner of the post and crossbar before going behind. 

With Gracia’s side up the pitch searching for a goal, they were hit with another devastating counter attack. Jota broke down the wing and played the ball in for Gakpo, who in turn squared it for Salah to curl home his second and Liverpool’s fourth.

A fifth goal came for the away side with just over 15 minutes remaining. Jordan Henderson played the ball to the edge of the box for Jota, who struck home via the post to get his second of the game. 

Entering stoppage time, the away side got a sixth. Alexander-Arnold chipped a ball over the top for Darwin Nunez which the substitute controlled, before finishing low to find the back of the net. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-6 Liverpool