Leeds United lessons learned vs Liverpool with Daniel Farke gamble, £8m standout and Man Utd blow
Lessons learned from another impressive Premier League point on the road for Leeds United.
Leeds United extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League games with Thursday’s battling 0-0 draw at Liverpool. Daniel Farke’s side stood tall against the reigning champions in a much less dramatic but equally encouraging clash than last month’s 3-3 reverse at Elland Road.
Hosts Liverpool dominated possession but found chances hard to come by, struggling to break down a resolute Leeds side who seemed perfectly happy with another good point on the road. Below are the YEP’s key takeaways from a hard-earned result on Merseyside.
Daniel Farke’s selection gamble
There were more than a few raised eyebrows at 4.15pm when the teams came out, with red-hot Dominic Calvert-Lewin benched as one of four changes, of which only one was enforced. Speaking ahead of kick-off, Farke insisted he had to ‘look after’ his red-hot striker but fitness issues or not, dropping someone who has scored seven goals in six games for a trip to the reigning Premier League champions is bold.
Lukas Nmecha did not offer the same kind of physical presence but Leeds got their point anyway, with two other unforced changes - Ilia Gruev and James Justin - among the standout performers. A draw and clean sheet at Anfield is impressive enough in isolation but bring Calvert-Lewin back in to score in victory over Manchester United on Sunday, and Farke can lap up the plaudits.
Sebastiaan Bornauw impressed on full debut
Farke was forced into one change with Joe Rodon injured but even then he was brave, handing Sebastiaan Bornauw a first Premier League start having only previously brought him on for two last-minute substitute appearances. And that bravery was rewarded by the towering Belgian, who looked so settled you’d have been forgiven but thinking he’d started every week.
Bornauw briefly lost Hugo Ekitike for a first-half chance he headed the wrong way but was otherwise faultless, showing his aerial dominance with headed winner after headed winner. By the time he sheepishly walked off with an injury - which has turned out to be cramp - in the 82nd minute, only Pascal Struijk had managed more than his six clearances. Fingers crossed the defender will be okay for Sunday.
James Justin the Leeds United standout
If Bornauw’s cramp issue does keep him out for Sunday, Farke might be minded to slot Justin into right centre-back as he did late on at Liverpool. The £8million summer arrival was outstanding defensively in his right wing-back role in place of Jayden Bogle and just as dependable alongside Jaka Bijol and Struijk.
One of Justin’s biggest strengths is his anticipation of danger and it was on show in a rare first-half flashpoint, with the full-back making an incredible block to thwart Florian Wirtz after Ekitike got behind Bijol. It saved Leeds from conceding an almost certain goal and can now be viewed as a moment that earned that point.
Liverpool reduced to nothing
Justin may have been the standout at Anfield and Bornauw was great too, but Leeds earned their clean sheet as a collective and it was fully deserved. Liverpool had one effort on target as they attacked their Kop after half-time, and that was a long-range pop-shot from Dominik Szoboszlai, with the likes of Wirtz, Ekitike and Cody Gakpo kept at arm’s length.
That was Leeds’ first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United in August and their first away shutout all season, all without arguably their most consistent defender in Rodon. Farke described the performance as ‘stubborn’ when speaking to Sky Sports after full-time and it’s hard to think of a better word to describe it.
Ethan Ampadu blow for Man Utd
Farke also told Sky Sports the dressing room atmosphere at full-time was ‘second to none’ but one player who might be a little frustrated is Ethan Ampadu. The combative midfielder would have loved nothing more than to lead his side to possible victory over Manchester United on Sunday but after being booked for a debatable handball, he will be forced to sit it out.
Referee Chris Kavanagh had a difficult game all-round on Thursday, with frustration on both sides, and Ampadu was unfortunately to have even conceded a foul for the all alleged handball, never mind be booked. It’s a big issue for Farke to solve come Sunday, although he will take some comfort in the fact Gruev was excellent at Anfield.