Jason Cundy has torn into Marcelo Bielsa for his ‘naïve’ tactics against Liverpool, which are putting Leeds United on course for relegation from the Premier League, he told talkSPORT.
The Whites suffered a humbling 6-0 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night for their second loss in just four-days. Manchester United weathered the West Yorkshire natives’ response to come back and win 4-2 at Elland Road last Sunday. Leeds did well to draw level at 2-2.
Results going against Leeds has put Bielsa’s men just three-points clear of the drop zone after 25 games. But Everton, Newcastle United and Watford hold at least a game in hand and can push the Whites into the bottom-three with Watford and Norwich City if they win.
Bielsa admitted after the Liverpool result that Leeds find it challenging to alter their game plan to suit the opponent. The Argentine’s refusal to deviate from his system astounds ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender Cundy, who fears for the Whites’ top-flight status this term.
“Liverpool were brilliant and they are a brilliant side, but they didn’t have to be,” he said. “Is it ten goals in two games they’ve conceded? They’re going to go down! Right now, they’re going down. Their goal difference is the second-worst in the league.
“They play only one way, and Bielsa will not change his style of football. It’s naïve, at best, to go away to Liverpool and to try and take Liverpool on. They were queuing up [to score].”
Liverpool drubbing further dents Leeds survival standing
Mohamed Salah scored twice and assisted Joel Matip to hand Liverpool a three-goal lead at half-time against Leeds. The Whites then managed to keep the Reds at bay for most of the second period, but Sadio Mane fired home 10-minutes from time and again in the 90th.
Virgil van Dijk then got in on the act in the third-minute of stoppage-time to complete the scoring. But the game as a contest was over by half-time, as the Merseysiders set a pace United could not withstand. Now, only Norwich have a worse goal difference than Leeds.
Bielsa’s men have also conceded a league-high 56 goals in 25 games to register a minus-27 goal difference. They have also suffered 12 defeats this season and face Tottenham next.
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