Alan Shearer slammed Patrick Bamford’s ‘terrible’ first touch after Leeds United recorded a memorable 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, as he told Match of the Day.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer spoke about how Jesse Marsch’s side were able to carve Liverpool open time and time again yesterday.
Leeds were gifted an opener from Jurgen Klopp’s side when an alert Rodrigo pounced on an awful backpass from Joe Gomez to his goalkeeper, Alisson Becker after five minutes – Shearer stated that was a ‘crazy’ error from the centre-back.
Even though Mohamed Salah equalised five minutes later, it didn’t stop Leeds, who hadn’t won a game since August when they beat then-Thomas Tuchel’s, Chelsea, from constantly trying to get at Liverpool’s error-prone backline.
Before Crysencio Summerville scored the dramatic winner, Bamford had an ample chance to win the game himself, but the Leeds striker, who is yet to score a goal this season, ended up chasing his first touch inside Liverpool’s penalty area.
That was touched upon by Shearer, who made it clear that the 29-year-old should have been testing Alisson in between the sticks.
“Look at the numbers Leeds are trying to get forward, 4 v 2, Harrison this time, and again, that should be in the back of the net and it was a decent save from Alisson,” said Shearer.
“Again, really good play from Leeds, but one v one at the back following an attack from Liverpool – the same thing again, one pass, this time it’s 3 v 2 against Leeds. I know Liverpool created chances, but so are Leeds.
“It was a good ball in from Aaronson to Summerville, but a better touch (needed) by Bamford. That’s a terrible touch by Bamford. That should be a touch and an effort away at the goal. If it was a better touch, then they are in away at goal again.”
BAMFORD NEEDS TO FIND THAT SPARK
Injuries upon injuries last season have affected Bamford’s current form and he is going through some serious struggles of late.
After starting and captaining Leeds during their defeat at Leicester City a number of weeks ago, he has had to deal with appearances off the bench for the past two matches.
And in truth, given his current struggles, that’s probably not going to change any time soon, but he needs a change of fortune post-World Cup, or else Marsch might need to look for different options during the January transfer market.
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