Liverpool vs. Leeds United: *Bumper* Post-Match Analysis

Paul Tomkins, Andrew Beasley, Daniel Rhodes and other TTT regulars will give their thoughts on the match for 24 hours after the game, so the article received via email is unlikely to be the final version. There's statistics from the match and videos too.

Post-Match Thoughts

Paul Tomkins

I’m reserving overall judgment due to the overall context (number of injuries, number of games, lack of preparation time), but aside from a few efforts that the Leeds keeper did extremely well with, that was a shapeless, senseless display. And the five-year unbeaten home record in front of a crowd went up in smoke. Leeds looked faster and sharper, and yet again Liverpool looked less fit than their opponents.

Results had been improving. But World Cup reset has been my mantra for a couple of months now, given the injuries and general fitness issues.

Physical reset, tactical reset, January transfer window.

I expected more setbacks, but not such a limp display at home to Leeds, even if I did fear Leeds' superior energy and Liverpool coming back from Holland after a Wednesday night game.

Mental reset, refresh, and find midfielders who can run, either from within the squad or in the market. Obviously Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota are important players, as 25-year-olds with pace, who can run and score goals.

At the moment, too many players can't play two games in a row. They can't start games at the right tempo, and can't maintain tempo. Liverpool continue to look too slow, and it doesn't help that Fabinho, one of those in his 20s, has played the entire season like he's in his 40s. The midfield is so one-paced, and that pace is not good.

The second half of my comments and those of the others follow for subscribers only.