Liverpool v Leeds United - MATCH THREAD - Cooper out, Struijk starts

[andrewjohnsmith]

Injures, as with the season before last, could be an issue. Cooper out today and we are struggling, lose Klich or Phillips for any period of time and we're in trouble.

We have depth, it's just a question of quality of that depth. Look at who didn't start today:

Cooper, Alioski, Shackleton, Roberts, Rodrigo, Poveda, Forshaw, Douglas, and some promising U-23's

It's not the kind of back up that will have us scaring teams like Liverpool every week, but it's enough to cover an injury crisis and keep us in the safety zone. Might be nice to bring in players like Gvardiol, but I'd be more than happy with Strujik as backup after today. I'd like to see Shackleton getting a chance ahead of new signings. I think a number 10 would be great (long term for Pablo), but all-in-all, I think we've got a squad that's more than good enough to hit somewhere around 12th this year.

[Smudge3920]

I do not think that there is a new comment to be made that hasn't already been said, I have nothing to critisise from the boys, we could not expect more from them. Opening match of the prem season, playing the champions (possibly the best club in the world at the moment, definitely in Europe) in their own barn, without our captain.
So many positives, mostly already been mentioned, for me a very clear message was sent today... from tomorrow 18 other teams now will not underestimate us and take us lightly.
"You know who" will ensure that things are addressed, I think it is great that he publicly stated Rodrigo was not to blame, and lets face it, some nerves, he was helping out in defence and he is a forward... As a player, if I was ever needed at the back to help out I certainly gave a few away (and got the "finger point".
The game as a whole, we were so close to winning... a penalty that should never have been, plus a goal that was dubious, to say the least, each time we fought back, not allowing setbacks to effect us... We definitely deserved the draw at the very least... the baptism is over, I could not be prouder to be a Leeds fan than I am right now.
Still more to come, by way of transfers and settling in with the new guys...trying not to get to carried away, but right now I see my prediction of a 14th placed finish I discredited them, I can see a top 10 finish in our first season.

[LUFC_BOS]

Entered this game thinking a 2 goal loss would be good, but I guess I had less faith than our team. Was actually hoarse after this game and could not stomach the last few minutes. We have a serious issue with set pieces, has been for a while and we were exposed.
But overall, if we can play like that we have some hope of making a fist of it this year.

We will not play many better teams than today so that is the good news.
Smashing conversion rate today, who said we were not clinical, long may it continue.

Still feel gutted we did not get anything out of the game.

[rab_rant]

Starman

Sent from my Redmi Note 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[Mick Jones shoulder]

Thought we did well, just poor at set pieces as per usual. Promising though.

[Tottenham]

What was your opinion of the game, Spuddy Buddy?

Impressed with Leeds. Went for it rather than trying to 'keep it tight'.

Hope that gung ho approach serves you well but I think you may have to take a more pragmatic approach as the season progresses.

Good luck.

[1964white]

That goal from Klich though...monstrous finish.

The pass from Costa then the control & finish from Klich was simply sublime

That goal brought tears to my eyes in an emotional moment

[Byebyegeegee]

Having had a little time now to reflect on the game, I think one of the main differences between the teams (and I believe we matched them in most departments), is the physicality on the ball. When running with the ball they often seemed to ride/plough through our tackles and keep the ball where as we tried to be a bit more subtle, trying to dribble with the ball and consequently lost it a bit too easily. I think this may be a consequence of us being out of the Premier League for so long, they just looked a bit stronger physically.
Obviously set pieces remain a problem for us but as others have said, on that evidence, we will more than hold our own against most teams in this division.

[SG90]

Impressed with Leeds. Went for it rather than trying to 'keep it tight'.

Hope that gung ho approach serves you well but I think you may have to take a more pragmatic approach as the season progresses.

Good luck.

The thing is, that was nowhere near our best. We were undercooked as we had no pre-season and still went toe to toe with the Champions on their own turf.

[mothbanquet]

The pass from Costa then the control & finish from Klich was simply sublime

That goal brought tears to my eyes in an emotional moment

We were...whisper it...clinical!

[HarryofOz]

And the praises keep rolling in

Fearless Marcelo Bielsa transforms Anfield into a delirious dreamscape

[SG90]

Bamford scored on his first PL start for Leeds and Boro. How can people say he isn't good enough when he hasn't had a proper chance yet? Most of his appearances were injury time subs.

[billysboots]

We nearly walked away from Anfield with a point, that would have been a huge accomplishment.
That said, like everyone else on here I’m immensely proud of my team this morning.
Leeds are Box Office in the Premier League.

[SG90]

And the praises keep rolling in

Fearless Marcelo Bielsa transforms Anfield into a delirious dreamscape

Unfortunately I've seen two racist comments on Twitter about him not speaking English. Both gammon brexit types, Mike Parry from Talkshite and Norwich fan Mick Dennis, of Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sun, Daily Express and Daily Fail "fame" .

[HarryofOz]

Unfortunately I've seen two racist comments on Twitter about him not speaking English. Both gammon brexit types, Mike Parry from Talkshite and Norwich fan Mick Dennis, of Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sun, Daily Express and Daily Fail "fame" .

Yes, unfortunately that happens as well.

[Smudge3920]

Both gammon brexit types,

What type's that then ?

[mothbanquet]

Unfortunately I've seen two racist comments on Twitter about him not speaking English. Both gammon brexit types, Mike Parry from Talkshite and Norwich fan Mick Dennis, of Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sun, Daily Express and Daily Fail "fame" .

I'd agree more if you didn't colour that statement with your own prejudice, mate.

[whiteinfrance]

Apparently we have no premier league players!

https://roblufc.org/2020/09/13/fa-expla ... -atkinson/

[lufc1304]

I came away from that game with a sense of disappointment, that's how well we played. I was hoping for a performance, a feel that we weren't interlopers, that we belonged at the big table. We got that and more, pushed one of the best teams in world football all the way and were undone by a trypical striker's challenge in our own box. We shouldn't get carried away, there's work to be done (set pieces still a weakness), but neither should we fear anyone. We DO belong in this league, and I think we'll be just fine for the season. Some additional depth would be good, really need a 10, but we aren't going to face sides like Liverpool every week. Very satisfying start, despite the result.

[John in Louisiana]

Impressed with Leeds. Went for it rather than trying to 'keep it tight'.

Hope that gung ho approach serves you well but I think you may have to take a more pragmatic approach as the season progresses.

Good luck.

Welcome and thanks for the good wishes.

You can be forgiven this sentiment as you haven't seen Bielsa from week to week the way we have.

What's pragmatic is to play the way you play best. If we play the way we did yesterday throughout the season, we're going to beat a lot of teams around this league. Bielsa won't ever back off.