LIVERPOOL — In a high-octane match at Anfield, Leeds United beat Liverpool 2-1. With Jurgen Klopp’s side off to a poor start in the season, and Jesse Marsch’s side facing relegation fears, both teams desperately needed a win.
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Crysencio Summerville made the difference for Leeds, putting away a chance in the 89th minute. On the other end of the pitch, Illan Meslier had nine saves and kept Leeds in the game.
Jurgen Klopp will be disappointed with his side’s performance after the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last week. This result puts the Reds in 9th place, with Leeds only four points behind in 15th place.
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Rapid reaction
1. Leeds stun Liverpool to take heat off Marsh
Leeds United stunned Liverpool to claim their first win at Anfield since 2001 with Crysencio Summerville’s 89th minute winner handing manager Jesse Marsch a huge boost in his fight to hold onto his job at Elland Road. Marsch has been subjected to chants calling for him to sacked during an eight-game winless run in the league and this clash with Jurgen Klopp’s team had looked like a potentially decisive fixture for the American.
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But despite starting the game as 12-1 outsiders to win, Leeds deserved their victory having opened the scoring through Rodrigo after a mistake by defender Joe Gomez inside four minutes. When Mohamed Salah equalised for Liverpool ten minutes later, the defensive frailties that have haunted Leeds all season could have overwhelmed them again. But Marsch’s team dominated every area of the pitch and it was clear from the early stages of the second-half that Liverpool were vulnerable to a fourth league defeat of the season.
Summerville’s winner was still a shock when it came, though, due to the cool manner in which he took his goal. Having received the ball just outside the six-yard box, the 20-year-old displayed quick feet to prod his shot beyond Alisson in the Liverpool goal and silence the home crowd.
And while it was a significant win for Leeds, the defeat was another blow for Liverpool this season. Klopp’s team have won just four of 12 league games and sit 13 points behind leaders Manchester City in ninth place. To compound their defeat, Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats against the bottom two teams with this loss coming a week after the 1-0 defeat at bottom club Nottingham Forest.
