Jurgen Klopp has told BBC Sport (23/02, 22:13) that Liverpool were able to expose Leeds United during Wednesday’s 6-0 win as you cannot man mark his side for all 90-minutes.
The Reds kept the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a dominate display. Mohamed Salah scored two first-half penalties and assisted Joel Matip before the break. While a Sadio Mane brace and a late Virgil van Dijk hit stretched the gap.
Klopp did not expect his side would produce such a commanding win over Marcelo Bielsa’s men. But the German notes results such as the Anfield affair are possible when teams want to go toe-to-toe with the Merseysiders from the first kick of the game to the final whistle.
“It can happen, but I didn’t expect it,” he said. “It is really difficult to defend man marking against us for 90-minutes. You cannot defend Mo Salah in all challenges of a game. That is the problem Leeds has, and that is why the result is the result.”
Liverpool versus Leeds at Anfield always promised goals
Liverpool left Leeds shellshocked as Salah stretched the margin before the break and kept up their dominance in the second-half. Klopp set his side out to exploit the gameplan he expected Bielsa would favour, as the Argentine has throughout their time in the top-flight.
The frantic pace of proceedings took its toll on the Whites, who were without a host of key players. Now, the Elland Road outfit are staring down the barrel of a relegation fight while the Reds eye the title. Leeds are three-points from the drop but having played more games.
Liverpool versus Leeds at Anfield always promised goals, however. The Reds have now hit a joint-high 36 on home soil with Manchester City so far this season. While the Whites have shipped a high 35 on the road. Norwich have allowed the next most (28) in one less games.
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