Leeds and Liverpool played an uneven 1-1 draw at Elland Road, in a game completely overshadowed by outrage against the new Super League.
The home team wore T-shirts in their pre-match warm-up with the slogan “Earn It”, a clear dig at the six Premier League clubs that signed up for the new competition announced on Monday.
But there was also anger in the Liverpool camp. Jurgen Klopp said he felt thrown under the bus by the board’s decision to throw the Champions League aside, and when Trent Alexander-Arnold beat Sadio Mane to open the scoring in half an hour, it triggered defiant celebration from the players.
#LFC leader on Elland Road! ?
It’s an intelligent drive from Alexander-Arnold, who squares it for Sadio Mane to finish in an empty net …?
? Watch Sky Sports PL? Follow #LEELIV here: https://t.co/WPgSxpc991? Download the app @SkySports! pic.twitter.com/WPtRlQzkRe
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 19, 2021
However, there was a real sense of meaninglessness at the time, and it bled in as the second half continued. Leeds grew into the game and eventually got an equalizer three minutes from the time Diego Llorente nodded home.
None of this matters if football’s ruling elite gets its way next season … but let’s get into some player ratings, right?
Meslier was again between the sticks for Leeds | Pool / Getty Images
Illan Meslier (GK) – 6/10 – Good stop to deny Thiago out of reach early. One or two shaky moments after the break but generally strong and complex.
Luke Ayling (RB) – 6/10 – Caught out of position once or twice but reliable for the most part.
Diego Llorente (CB) – 7/10 – Good nod to equalize and net his first goal for the club.
Pascal Struijk (CB) – 6/10 – Sometimes fought against Firmino but kept a cool head and impressed in the second half.
Ezgjan Alioski (LB) – 5/10 – Positioning left a lot to be desired and cost the Leeds opener when Alexander-Arnold fell into the space he left.
Kalvin Phillips mixes it with Gini Wijnaldum | Pool / Getty Images
Calvin Phillips (DM) – 6/10 – Kept things together for Leeds and was quick to win the ball back on a few occasions.
Stuart Dallas (CM) – 6/10 – Celebrated his 30th birthday with a yellow card for a professional foul in the textbook against Sadio Mane. Just summed up his performance and why Marcelo Bielsa loves him so much.
Tyler Roberts (CM) – 5/10 – Quite inefficient in the face of a composed and well-drilled Liverpool midfield.
Bamford does not reach a cross PAUL ELLIS / Getty Images
Helder Costa (RW) – 6/10 – Did a bit of an inconvenience to himself but faded out and subbed for final 25.
Patrick Bamford (CF) – 6/10 – Put the Liverpool midfielders sometimes under extreme pressure when he tried to end a goalless run with six games.
Jack Harrison (LW) – 5/10 – Fell asleep on Alexander-Arnold for the Liverpool opener and fought to get something to happen for his team.
? First #LUFC change when Poveda replaces Costa. 0-1 pic.twitter.com/uSe37XgCh5
– Leeds United (@LUFC) April 19, 2021
Ian Poveda (Costa, 67) – 6/10
Mateusz Klich (Alioski, 79) – N / A
Pablo Hernandez (Roberts, 87) – Not applicable
Alexander-Arnold Caused Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Problems
Alisson (GK) – 6/10 – Flew from his line to deny Bamford in the first half after a bit sloppy play from Fabinho. However, the beardless look in combination with his new hairstyle was scary.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – 7/10 – Flew down to the right to nod the ball away from Meslier and hit up Mane for the opener.
Fabinho (CB) – 6/10 – Back in defense to cover for an injury to Nat Phillips. Ambitious with his passing and positioning – a little too much sometimes for Klopp’s taste.
Ozan Kabak (CB) – 6/10 – Clearly worked with his distribution. Solid performance even though his positioning was sometimes shaky – which led to Leeds equalizer.
Andy Robertson (LB) – 6/10 – Missed a great chance to kill the game late. Otherwise good.
Thiago created good for Liverpool | Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Thiago (CM) – 7/10 – Much more light and ambitious in possession than he has recently been. Did not always come for him but the intention was there and it drove Liverpool forward.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 6/10 – Always feels wasted as the deepest of midfield three but did the job competently.
James Milner (CM) – 6/10 – Back to where it all started against the club that gave him his senior debut around 1963. Again proved that it was valuable as a player for Klopp.
Sadio Mane scores for Liverpool | CLIVE BRUNSKILL / Getty Images
Diogo Jota (RW) – 7/10 – Jota started on the right in the absence of the rested Mo Salah and set up the first goal with a lovely long ball. Another encouraging achievement.
Roberto Firmino (CF) – 6/10 – Led the press well and created one or two chances with his inventive movement. Shades of his old self.
Sadio Mane (LW) – 6/10 – Easy finish to finish your goal dryer and open the score. Went to Salah for hometown.
71 ‘- Our first change as Salah is about to replace Mane.
[0-1]#LEELIV
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) 19 April 2021
Mohamed Salah (Mane, 71) – 5/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Jota, 81) – Not applicable
