Salah shines as Liverpool keeps European hopes alive with a big win over Leeds
Goals: Leeds – Liverpool – Played on 04/17/ 2023
Liverpool defeated Leeds United 6-1 on Monday evening in the 31st round of the English Premier League, maintaining their hopes of qualifying for European competitions next season. The match saw Liverpool dominate, with goals scored by Cody Jacobo (35), Mohamed Salah (39 and 64), Diogo Jota (52 and 73), and Darwin Nunez (90), while Luis Sinistera scored Leeds’ only goal (47).
Team Lineups
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp relied on the 4-3-3 method of play, with Ibrahima Konati and Virgil Van Dyck deep in the back line, Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson as full-backs, and Fabinho as the pivot player. Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones moved in front of Fabinho, while Mohamed Salah, Cody Jacobo, and Diogo Jota formed the attacking trio.
On the opposite side, Leeds United coach Javi Gracia resorted to the 4-2-3-1 method of play, with Rasmus Christensen, Robin Koch, Pascal Strowick, and Junior Firpo in the back line. Weston McKinney and Mark Roca cooperated in the middle of the field, and the trio consisted of Jack Harrison, Brendon Aaronson, and Luis Sinistera, behind Spanish striker Rodrigo Moreno.
First Half
Liverpool began the match with a dangerous opportunity in the seventh minute when Jack Harrison executed a free kick that Rodrigo headed toward Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. Leeds continued their danger in the ninth minute when Mark Roca took advantage of a wrong ball from Diogo Jota, passing to Rodrigo who fired a shot that passed by the right post.
Liverpool’s performance improved as the first half went on. They opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Alexander Arnold received a pass from Salah on the right side, putting the ball on a golden plate in front of Jacbo, who followed it into the net from a short distance. Salah then added the second goal for Liverpool in the 39th minute when he received a pass from Jota on the left side, advancing the ball and hitting his left in the near top corner of the goal.
Second Half
Leeds revived their hopes two minutes after the start of the second half when Luis Sinistera took advantage of Konati’s confusion to snatch the ball and confront the goalkeeper before putting it into the net. Liverpool missed a dangerous opportunity in the 51st minute when Jota picked up a ball from Henderson but shot wide of the goal.