The take away from the match yesterday are that Leeds are fit, organised, and not at all innovative. They have a playing a style that has been in vogue since Klopp's spell at Dortmund, and used for some time before that by smaller clubs. Astute viewers will have noticed the high volume of bodies they commit in the opposition half; how high their defensive line is; and how isolated their centre backs and wide defensive players are. Liverpool attempted to play through this press the vast majority of the time and came a cropper numerous times; conversely, Leeds did the same despite a ponderous Liverpool press, and will count themselves lucky not to have been exposed by a poor Liverpool front three lacking their usual ruthlessness.
Going forward Leeds will face much greater tactical examination as more pragmatic teams than Liverpool (last night at least) play over and around their press. Having said that, if I was Klopp I'd have probably signed up to a basketball match pre match - conformable in trusting that my front three would score more than the Leeds lads. One of the problems Bielsa has is maintaining confidence in his team. If you get some good hidings players can lose confidence in this press and the distances become too big between your lines. How many roastings can the backline take before the defence drops 5-10 yards instinctively, or the midfield drops to cover the back lines? If that happens ala Norwich, it's not just teams playing over and around you that's the problem; it's teams playing through you and picking you off too. Bielsa has a reputation as an ideologue, so, if thinks start going tits up he's likely to go "full Farke": - rigidly and somewhat immaturely sticking to his ideals rather than tailoring them for the next opponent.
A word of caution I'd give to Leeds: It's not the increase in technical ability that's the startling thing about the premier league - although their are clearly outstanding technicians (De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandes, Ozil etc). It's the increase in raw athleticism and physicality. Almost every team has a Sarr, Abraham, Mane type player or two, that can expose you on transition from wing back or full back positions. Your system has to be able to cope with the transitions or limit the impact on your team. Teams also have players they can go long early too if need be and miss a press out with (Wood, Mcburnie, Abraham, Giroud etc).
Where do I think they'll finish? I think they'll be ok and take some big scalps along the way. The teams that rigidly try and "play the right way" will be caught out by the Leeds press, and they'll win enough high scoring games. They'll entertain the public too. They'll be undermined by what they do in both boxes and teams with tactically astute managers who will exploit their style (see above). They have an idea (half the problem) and are fit , motivated and energetic unlike say West Brom, Villa, West Ham etc.
. Harrison destroyed the over hyped TAA and Phillips provided some useful passes out from the middle. A contrast to the nut job determined to break players legs we experienced in the championship.
