Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane bagged a brace as Liverpool secured a thumping 6-0 win over Leeds United at Anfield.
Liverpool extended their winning run to nine games in all competitions after brushing aside Leeds United 6-0 at Anfield. The emphatic result helps them bridge the gap at the top to just three points, whereas Leeds get further dipped into the relegation scrap after a run of five winless games.
As the scoreline suggests, Liverpool were by far the better of the two sides throughout the game. Especially in the first half, the Reds looked rampant as they probed the depleted Leeds United defence that had to cope with the absence of Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch. They were rewarded for their efforts as Mohamed Salah converted an early penalty in the 15th minute.
The early lead helped Liverpool further dominate the proceedings, and it was only a matter of time when they doubled their lead through Joel Matip around the half-hour mark. Five minutes later, Liverpool won another penalty, with Salah once again finding the back of the net and giving his side an unassailable 3-0 advantage heading into half-time.
Leeds United, though, employed no damage limitations and tried their best to get back into the game. For a large period of the second half, they were even the more ambitious of the two, as Liverpool took the foot off the gas pedal a bit. But the Whites were extremely wasteful in front of goal, ultimately giving the Reds the opportunity to make it 4-0 in the 80th minute through Sadio Mane.
There was time for two more late goals as Mane doubled his tally in the 90th minute before Virgil van Dijk netted from a corner in the final minute of added time. It was enough to put more gloss to the scoreline as Liverpool continued their incredible run of form during the second half of the campaign. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the two sets of players in this 6-0 result at Anfield this midweek.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker: 7/10
Alisson was lucky to get away with an early error that could have resulted in a goal for Leeds United in the first half. Other than that, the Liverpool goalkeeper had a relatively easy night, as the majority of the opposition efforts were rather tame.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7.5/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return to the starting eleven with a useful performance on the right flank. He was a crucial creative outlet, and his crosses caused a lot of problems for the opposition.
Joel Matip: 8/10
Joel Matip’s majestic forward run and link-up play with Mohamed Salah was one of the major highlights of this game, as it resulted in Liverpool’s second goal. The experienced centre-back was defensively solid as well, helping the team retain the clean sheet.
Joel Matip has been threatening to do that for some time, and it was worth the wait. Brilliant goal.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) February 23, 2022
Virgil van Dijk: 8/10
Virgil van Dijk produced yet another comprehensive defensive display at the heart of the Liverpool backline. He was strong and firm in his tackles and barely offered any space or time for the Leeds attackers. He was rewarded with a goal in the final minute of the proceedings.
Andrew Robertson: 7.5/10
It was a responsible display from Andrew Robertson, who deserves credit for winning the first penalty. The full-back did allow Raphinha the space to run in behind but had the measure of the Brazilian more often than not.
Fabinho: 7/10
Fabinho missed an excellent opportunity to score in the first half. In fact, the Brazilian was perhaps one of the least impressive performers for Liverpool as he looked a bit shaky in possession. But he was aptly helped out by his teammates in the middle of the park.
Curtis Jones: 7.5/10
Curtis Jones made a solid impression after starting ahead of Jordan Henderson in midfield. The youngster offered the transition going forward and looked quite sleek with his link-up play with attackers.
Thiago Alcantara: 8/10
Thiago Alcantara was once again the difference maker for Liverpool in the middle of the park. The former Bayern Munich star exhibited his technical prowess to help Liverpool take control of the game. He looked faultless in possession.
Thiago vs. Leeds
93% Pass accuracy
4/6 Accurate long passes
5/6 Ground duels won
5/6 Tackles won
5 Recoveries
1 Interception pic.twitter.com/3vFNTMo5Nj— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) February 23, 2022
Mohamed Salah: 8.5/10
Mohamed Salah bagged two goals in the first half without putting in all his effort. It was indicative of the quality the Egyptian possesses as the player continues his fiery run of form. In addition to scoring goals, Salah played a crucial role in setting up chances in the final third, making him one of the most influential players on the pitch.
Sadio Mane: 9/10
Sadio Mane was asked to spearhead the Liverpool frontline in the absence of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota. The Senegalese international did not disappoint either, causing all sorts of problems for the Leeds defence with his pace and trickery in the final third. He was rewarded with a couple of goals late in the game.
Most Premier League goals scored by African players in the competition’s history:
?? Mohamed Salah (116)
?? Sadio Mane (105)
?? Didier Drogba (104)Three Kings. ? pic.twitter.com/virwuP3T2w
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) February 23, 2022
Luis Diaz: 8.5/10
Luis Diaz is becoming a fan-favourite at Anfield, less than a month after signing for Liverpool. The Colombian produced yet another hard-working display in the final third, offering sizzling runs and linking up well with teammates. He was unlucky not to get on to the scoresheet himself.
SUBSTITUTES
Jordan Henderson: 7.5/10
Jordan Henderson was deeply involved in the build-up that led to Mane’s first goal, even bagging the assist. The experienced midfielder offered more stability in the middle of the park.
James Milner: N/A
A late replacement for Jones. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Divock Origi: N/A
A late replacement for Diaz. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Leeds United
Illan Meslier: 5/10
Illan Meslier was culpable for conceding the fourth goal as his shoddy clearance led straight to the Liverpool players. There was clearly a lack of understanding between him and his defensive teammates, and it was, overall, quite an unfortunate evening for the young shot-stopper.
Stuart Dallas: 6/10
Stuart Dallas made an awful start to the game as he had difficulties keeping up with the marauding Alexander-Arnold and the tricky Diaz. He even conceded the first penalty but looked much better when he returned to the midfield slot in the second half. He offered attacking impetus and created a few scoring chances.
Luke Ayling: 4/10
Luke Ayling had to feature at centre-back in the absence of key defenders. Unfortunately, it did not go all too well for the right-back, who had a disastrous evening dealing with Mane. He conceded the second penalty as well and will hope to reclaim his usual spot at right-back in the next game.
I think Ayling is a really good right back. I love his hair & his overlaps on the wing & his character. I do not think he has ever been good at centre back, mainly because he's not a centre back. We have a centre back on the bench. He might be good at centre back. #lufc
— Andy McVeigh (@pantsdanny) February 23, 2022
Pascal Struijk: 4/10
Pascal Struijk did not offer much support to Ayling at centre-back. The young defender looked powerless in dealing with the Liverpool front three, and it was evident in the scoreline.
Junior Firpo: 4/10
Junior Firpo made a strong start to the second half when he made good attacking contributions. Defensively, though, the former Barcelona starlet lacked the solidity to deal with the threat of Salah.
Adam Forshaw: 5/10
Adam Forshaw was asked to operate as the holding midfielder in the absence of Kalvin Phillips. He was willing to work hard for his team and did not look all that bad in regards to his possession play. But he was not helped by Leeds’s all-out attacking approach that left him isolated.
Raphinha: 3/10
Raphinha was one of the underwhelming performers for Leeds United. The Brazilian was involved in the team’s offensive game, doing well to utilise the space in behind the Liverpool backline. But he looked selfish in the final third, and a majority of his efforts were rather tame. His wasteful performance in front of goal continues to be a problem for the Whites.
Raphinha was send back to Sporting pic.twitter.com/Y77Nl4hw7I
— “ (@ynwanick_) February 23, 2022
Mateusz Klich: 4/10
Mateusz Klich tried his best to press the Liverpool midfielder, but unfortunately, he was pitted against Thiago, whose masterful technique made it almost impossible for the Pole to create turnovers.
Rodrigo: 4/10
Rodrigo Moreno had a disastrous first half as he was barely involved in the game. His lack of defensive work ethic further hurt Leeds’s second line of press, thus leading to his substitution at half-time.
Jack Harrison: 4/10
It was a disappointing performance from Jack Harrison, who was not able to provide much threat on the far side. One would also expect more defensive work rate from the Leeds United winger.
Daniel James: 4.5/10
Daniel James was one of three players to be subbed off for Leeds United, as he barely made any impact other than closing down Alisson early on.
SUBSTITUTES
Jamie Shackleton: 5/10
Jamie Shackleton assumed the right-back role after replacing Klich at half-time. He tried his best to keep things quiet but was unable to do so, thanks to some intense pressure from the Reds.
Tyler Roberts: 5/10
Tyler Roberts was brought in as the creative spark in the final third. He offered some good passes, but it did not lead to anything substantial.
Joe Gelhardt: 5/10
Joe Gelhardt offered some spark in the final third after coming on for James. But he was not involved in the game enough.
