Graeme Souness asks question of "incredible" Leeds United and hails Whites' Premier League return

GRAEME Souness has questioned whether Leeds United have a big enough squad to repeat Saturday's "incredible" efforts against Liverpool on a constant basis.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Marcelo Bielsa's newly-promoted Whites produced a brilliant performance at Anfield on their Premier League return before ultimately falling to a 4-3 defeat after Mo Salah completed a hat-trick with his second penalty of the game in the 88th minute.

United hassled and harried the Reds in every area of the pitch and even left Anfield having had more possession than the defending champions England with 51 per cent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Souness, who has hailed United's return to the Premier League, was deeply impressed and is now intrigued to see if such energetic displays can be repeated week-in, week-out.

ENERGETIC: Leeds United hunt down Liverpool forward Sadio Mane during Saturday's clash at Anfield with Kalvin Phillps, Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison all in close attendance. Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images.ENERGETIC: Leeds United hunt down Liverpool forward Sadio Mane during Saturday's clash at Anfield with Kalvin Phillps, Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison all in close attendance. Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images.
ENERGETIC: Leeds United hunt down Liverpool forward Sadio Mane during Saturday's clash at Anfield with Kalvin Phillps, Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison all in close attendance. Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images.

"Leeds have made a real statement, they really have," said former Reds midfielder and manager Souness on Sky Sports.

"But do they have a big squad because I'm not sure you can play like that all the time?

"The amount of effort that Leeds put into that, I'm not sure if you can do that every time you go out and cross the white line.

"That was some effort.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Liverpool were not at their best but they weren’t allowed to be at their best.

“Leeds hunted them down for the largest part of that game, and I don’t think Liverpool enjoyed the experience.

“Liverpool normally do that to teams they play, they normally hunt them down, put them under pressure, outwork them but tonight Liverpool were outworked.

“Leeds had more possession at Anfield than Liverpool did, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before from this Liverpool team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Even when City go there, I still think Liverpool dominate the ball.

"It was an incredible performance, but they have got nothing to show from it.

"They will look back on it and think they should have got something."

Liverpool have now not lost at Anfield in the league in 60 games with the Reds winning 26 of their last 27.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But their latest victory was only sealed in the 88th minute and Souness is delighted to see the Whites finally back in the country's top flight after a 16-year absence having stormed to last season's Championship title in finishing ten points clear of runners-up West Brom.

"If you are a certain age this was one of the big games, Leeds and Liverpool," said Souness.

"I played in them and they were never described as a friendly game.

"It was always out and out war.

"It's great to have them back and the atmosphere at Elland Road is a special place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There's just the one team in the city which is unusual. There's Newcastle but I am trying to think of others.

"It's been a long time without them and they will bring something."

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.