Liverpool move into the Champions League spot with a draw in Leeds

After a long time, Liverpool are back into the Champions League spot, but they could have easily lost this game if it wasn’t for bad finishing of the hosts and saves from Allison. Marcelo Bielsa’s men were trailing after half an hour but scored at the end of the match and managed to get a more than deserved point: Leeds – Liverpool 1-1.

Leeds have won just one of their last 11 home games against Liverpool in all competitions, and tonight it was their 12th game without a triumph, and the players had only themselves to blame. They were not concentrated well enough and didn’t manage to use their dominant possession (even 80% at one point!). Maybe Raphinha would have made a difference, but Leeds best player was out due to injury. All in all, 12 shots on target and only two were successful, shame for football fans, who saw plenty of chances, but actually only two goals.

A goal and two good chances, that’s what was worth reporting in the first half. Just as the game began, Thiago had a great chance to score his first goal in the Premier League, but Meslier made a fantastic fingertip save. Leeds had an opportunity of its own, and it was a good one, but Bamford didn’t manage to use Fabinho’s error and score in the 23rd minute, as Allison made the save. Sadio Mane hasn’t scored in the last nine Premier League games, but that changed in the 31st minute. It was a triangle of Jota, Alexander-Arnold, and Mane for the easy score and Liverpool lead.

Unlike the first half, where Leeds had the possession, but both teams were almost equal, Liverpool took the initiative at the start of the second half, determined to „kill the game“ as soon as possible. Firmino and Sane had their chances in the first ten minutes before Leeds took over the possession again and even created a great chance, only for Costa to miss from two meters. Harrison had an even better chance, one on one with Allison from two meters, but the Brazilian goalie made a superb save. However, the Reds keeper was helpless in the 74th minute after Bamford’s superb shot, but the Leeds striker was unlucky and hit the bar. Just three minutes later, another colossal chance for Leeds, as Roberts had a chance to equalize from 3 meters, but only managed to shot in Allison.

After starting 30 of Liverpool’s last 31 Premier League games, Mohamed Salah found himself on the bench for this game, as Klopp preferred Diogo Jota, but when he came in 20 minutes until the end, he immediately had two good chances but was not precise. Finally, Leeds came to a deserved equalizer in the 87th minute, and it was Llorente’s first-ever goal in English football.

With this draw, Liverpool is back into contention for the Champions League spot after a long long time, but it should be short-lived as Chelsea is hosting Brighton on Tuesday and the Blues will take over the fourth spot with a win.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 32

Saturday

Newcastle - West Ham 3-2 (2-0)

/Joelington 41, Willock 83 - Diop 36(og), 73, Lingard 80(p)/

Southampton - Crystal Palace - postponed

Wolverhampton - Sheffield United 1-0 (0-0)

/Jose 59/

Sunday

Arsenal - Fulham 1-1 (0-0)

/Nketiah 90+7 - Maja 59 pen/

Manchester United - Burnley 3-1 (0-0)

/Grenwood 48, 84, Cavani 90+3 - Tarkowski 50/

Monday

Leeds United – Liverpool 1-1 (0-1)

/Llorente 87 - Mane 31/

Tuesday

22.00 Chelsea - Brighton & Hove Albion

Wednesday

22.00 Leicester City – WBA