The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 18th April) - Monday night massacre at Elland Road
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 18th April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Monday night massacre at Elland Rod
Leeds hopes for survival took a massive hit last night, as Liverpool piled on the misery in front of a jam packed Elland Road. The scene was reminiscent of the final chapter of Bielsa's reign, as goals flew in from all directions, and a look of bewilderment and disorientation over the faces of the players in White.
Klopp's side were two up by half time, courtesy of Gakpo and Salah; but nothing prepared them for what lay ahead, though it started so well! A couple of minutes into the second half, Sinisterra caught Konate napping, dispossessed him, and fired home from close distance. This was the shot in the arm the hosts desperately needed, but all to soon the effects wore off when Jota restored their two goal advantage five minutes later.
By this point, Liverpool were totally dominant. Had this been a boxing match, the ref would have stopped proceedings a long time ago. A Kristensen goal line clearance (after Meslier was lobbed) and a VAR decision that actually went in Leeds favour, spared their blushes further, before Salah grabbed his brace on 64 minutes.
Jota, who hadn't scored for over a year, grabbed his second and Liverpool's fifth on 73 minutes, and when Nunez grabbed their sixth in stoppage time, it must have come as a relief when the final whistle blew, and were rightly booed off the pitch.
Rutters future 'will be brilliant'
Speaking prior to the Liverpool annihilation, Javi Gracia heaped praise on record signing Georginio Rutter, insisting, he has a bright future ahead of him. Like so many others, the young Frenchman endured a torrid time at the hands of Liverpool last night during his 25 minute cameo role, during which he did very little to justify his place in the first team squad. Whilst its true, that game time will undoubtedly benefit the soon to be 21 year old (Thursday), he's so far off the pace, that he may need to go out on loan next season to rediscover some form.
Georgi is working very well, he’s a good character and I’m sure his future will be brilliant. He had some chances. In the time I’ve been here, he’s started playing some games (one in the FA Cup) and played some minutes in others. It’s true he’s not had the continuity in the games, but I’m sure when we have more chances, he will show his quality and he will help the team. But I have to decide and try to choose what I think is best for the team (now). I don’t have any other explanation.
It looks like you’ve got a kid in goal
Former player, now pundit Jamie Carragher ripped into the Leeds defence (why not, everyone else has) after their latest meltdown last night. The former Liverpool favourite emphasised the poor quality of the Leeds defence and critisised Meslier's lack of presence, insisting it's like having a kid in goal. Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said...
This Leeds team, they’ve had three different managers in a short space of time. Those goals tonight mean they are the worst team defensively in terms of goals conceded this season. Gracia’s come in, obviously Jesse Marsch came in for Bielsa, and they’ve got really poor defenders - really poor. I’ve never been convinced with the goalkeeper - I know he’s a young player, Bielsa brought him up from the Championship and he was young then, maybe 20.
He was good on the ball using his feet but he’s got no presence. It looks like you’ve got a kid in goal. I’ve always felt that - okay, he’s a young goalkeeper making his way - but I’ve never felt convinced with him at all, and the defenders that they’ve got individually are really poor. Really poor, they make big mistakes every time they play.