Once upon a time a feared side in English football, Leeds have been languishing in the second tier for a long time now. For a change, the Leeds fans got to experience how a traditional big game in England feels like when they locked horns with rivals Liverpool in the quarter-final of the League Cup. Anfield usually is a stadium that buzzes and last night was no different.
Garry Monk’s Leeds United gave a pretty strong challenge to a much-changed and much weakened Liverpool side. The Reds failed to score a goal until the 76th minute and never really had total dominance in the game. Leeds did impress on their travel to the historic Anfield and they look like a much stronger team now under Monk.
The game was so evenly matched until Origi’s opener. Liverpool had more share of possession and Leeds fans will frankly not care about that. The Whites had a fair share of chances themselves. The best of those came from the feet of Kemar Roofe who came agonisingly close to his first ever Leeds goal with an outrageous attempt from outside of the box that left Mignolet stranded. Late goals from Origi and Woodburn settled the game for Liverpool but Leeds fans will travel back to Elland Road with a lot of pride and positives.
Here are the Leeds United player ratings from the game.
Marco Silvestri: 7/10
The Italian made a few strong saves and was not at fault for either goal.
Gaetano Berardi: 7/10
A strong defensive showing. Was not adventurous, though.
Kyle Bartley: 6.5/10
Had a few nervy moments but did well otherwise despite a constant pressure from Liverpool attackers.
Liam Cooper: 7/10
Was top-notch in the first half with his reading of the game and interceptions. Was injured and replaced at the half-time break.
Charlie Taylor: 7.5/10
The highly-rated left-back showed the world why there is so much fuss about him. Kept Mane silent. Defensively he was solid and threatened from down the left flank on occasions.
Eunan O’Kane: 6/10
Started the game strongly but did not last long in the game. Was replaced inside the 30-minute mark.
Ronaldo Vieira: 7/10
Was solid defensively and broke down Liverpool’s game. Well-disciplined throughout the game.
Hadi Sacko: 6.5/10
Impressed with his pace but his finishing let him down.
Stuart Dallas: 6/10
Full of running but no real end product.
Souleymane Doukara: 7/10
Was a menace in the air and troubled the Liverpool defence.
Kemar Roofe: 7.5/10
If his outrageous attempt resulted in a goal, it would have been a beauty. Worked hard throughout the game to create openings.
Substitutes
Kalvin Phillips: 7.5/10
The industry of the youngster is praise-worthy. Covered every blade of grass and made it hard for Liverpool midfielders.
Luke Ayling: 5/10
Should have done better for the Origi goal.
Chris Wood: 5/10
Did not get too much service. Headed a goal in that was ruled out offside correctly.
