Leeds United defender Luke Ayling has admitted to the Giant podcast, which is available on Spotify, that he was fearful of facing Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah this season.
Leeds were thrown in at the deep end following promotion, with their first game coming against Liverpool at Anfield.
The prospect was a daunting one for Ayling at first, as he knew he would be up against two of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers.
But the Leeds defender says that as he grow into the game he enjoyed the challenge.
“When it first got announced it was Liverpool first I was like ‘oh my gosh, against Mane, maybe Salah coming across and Mane going the other way, oh my gosh it’s going to be a nightmare,'” he said
“Then you start the game, get into it and just do your thing. To hold my own against him was a nice feeling, it fed me with a lot of confidence.”
Leeds actually competed well with Liverpool on opening day, but ultimately fell to a 4-3 defeat.
Leeds went toe-to-toe with the current champions, and that has been a tactic that they have continued to employ to now.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already caused plenty of teams problem upon their return to the top flight, but their results have taken a downturn in recent weeks.
Leeds currently sit in 15th place, but are well clear of the relegation zone as things stand.
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