Liverpool have looked vulnerable ever since the new year and it seems that sides have woken up to the fact that the 2 full-backs are not great defenders and can be 'got at'. As they did yesterday, Salah and Mane still get them out of trouble more often not, of course, but they are not looking like the highly efficient side they were at the beginning of last season.
On the evidence of last season, I expected Leeds to be more likely to emulate what United did after promotion rather than follow Norwich. After all, like us and unlike Norwich, they had an excellent defence in their promotion season which would appear to give them a solid base. All their domination of possession in the Championship, however, often didn't translate into goals. They were pretty wasteful in front of goals and that is unlikely to change at a higher level.
I'm not sure what can be read into yesterday's match as regards Leeds' prospects for the season, really. It might just have been one of those odd games where Leeds played with a freedom and enthusiasm borne of it being the first game back in the top flight when they were considered to have nothing to lose. Not really a useful indicator of how they will go at all.
Their defence, which crucially is missing the main plank from last season (White), looked all at sea and despite Leeds' familiar non-stop pressing and harrying, Liverpool created chances at will (22 efforts at goal). That should be extremely worrying for Dirties fans. United weren't given a chasing like that in any match until we went to Anfield in the new year - some 25 games into the season.
In contrast, Leeds were remarkably efficient at the other end. They only mustered 3 shots on target and they all went in. The complete opposite of last season. That won't keep happening.
I expect them to bury Fulham next week (they look to be in serious bother and Arsenal could easily have had 8 against them today) but the following games against us, Man City, Wolves, Villa and Leicester will be a better guide as to their prospects.
On the evidence of last season, I expected Leeds to be more likely to emulate what United did after promotion rather than follow Norwich. After all, like us and unlike Norwich, they had an excellent defence in their promotion season which would appear to give them a solid base. All their domination of possession in the Championship, however, often didn't translate into goals. They were pretty wasteful in front of goals and that is unlikely to change at a higher level.
I'm not sure what can be read into yesterday's match as regards Leeds' prospects for the season, really. It might just have been one of those odd games where Leeds played with a freedom and enthusiasm borne of it being the first game back in the top flight when they were considered to have nothing to lose. Not really a useful indicator of how they will go at all.
Their defence, which crucially is missing the main plank from last season (White), looked all at sea and despite Leeds' familiar non-stop pressing and harrying, Liverpool created chances at will (22 efforts at goal). That should be extremely worrying for Dirties fans. United weren't given a chasing like that in any match until we went to Anfield in the new year - some 25 games into the season.
In contrast, Leeds were remarkably efficient at the other end. They only mustered 3 shots on target and they all went in. The complete opposite of last season. That won't keep happening.
I expect them to bury Fulham next week (they look to be in serious bother and Arsenal could easily have had 8 against them today) but the following games against us, Man City, Wolves, Villa and Leicester will be a better guide as to their prospects.
Sorry that will not be happening with defending like that. Liverpool have been poor for a few months or from when the title was as good as won. When we played them at the lane they were European champions and way in front of any other team yet we gave them a game and they looked to have run out of ideas until Hendo let a tame shot go through his legs.
