Match: 1-6
Since their match against Manchester United in early March (7-0), Liverpool have not won. But last week’s draw with Arsenal (2-2), after losing 2-0, tasted like a victory, which is probably why Jurgen Klopp showed up at Elland Road with the same squad.
Even the Reds started the game in a similar state of mind, confiscating the ball from poorly ordered (16) and ill-inspired Whites. Finally, a lucky Trent Alexander-Arnold offered the opener to Cody Jaco (35), who only had to score from close range to check out the great sterile possession until then. And if the right back of the Reds recovered the ball by blocking it with his elbow, the referee would not hesitate.
Four minutes later, Diogo Jota’s weak recovery, followed by a quick counter, led to a three-for-three situation for the Portuguese, who served Mohamed Salah perfectly. Liverpool’s top scorer this season (15 goals) scored an unstoppable shot into the top corner for Ilan Mesler (39th).
Returning from the dressing room, Luis Sinistera thought he was waking up his people, taking advantage of a mistake by Ibrahima Konate, who lost the ball to the Colombian and giving the goal to the white team (47th). Behind, however, Liverpool rolled. Soon, Jota broke again with a shot from outside the area (52), thus scoring his first goal in more than a year.
The hour of play passed, Mohamed Salah presented himself with a brace after completing the surgery, which was served well in the area by Cody Jaco (63rd place). Then Jota imitated him, and scored the fifth goal, again from outside the spectator area, Ilan Mesler (73). Darwin Nunez, who came on during the match, came on to round off the festival with a sixth goal (90).
6
Liverpool scored all of their first six shots on goal (they had seven in total). A difficult evening for the Frenchman, Ilan Meslier.
With this victory and the late match, Liverpool is two points behind Brighton, seventh place – the last qualifying position for European competition – but which is two matches behind, and three points behind Aston Villa, sixth.
And Leeds, who conceded 11 goals in the last two receptions, are two points above the red zone.
Player: Diogo Jota
Two lofty goals. Two perceptions in the same position, near the surface. But also an assist. Recovering the ball in his own part of the field, followed by a round that ends with a goal served on the plateau by Mohamed Salah. Diogo Jota had a successful match, especially since he hadn’t scored a goal for Liverpool for over a year (April 10, 2022, 2-2 against Manchester City). Finding the net twice, the Portuguese turned the page on a year that was cut short by numerous injuries.
