Liverpool 6-0 Leeds: Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane score twice as Jurgen Klopp's side move three points behind Man City

Match report and highlights as Liverpool thrash Leeds 6-0 to slash gap from Manchester City to just three points; Mohamed Salah scores two first-half penalties and assists Joel Matip; Sadio Mane nets a double after the break before Virgil van Dijk nets sixth

Thursday 24 February 2022 06:15, UK

Liverpool moved to within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City with a rip-roaring 6-0 win over Leeds at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah converted two penalties and assisted Joel Matip before the break against a shell-shocked Leeds and the hosts maintained dominance after the interval with Sadio Mane netting a double and Virgil van Dijk heading home a sixth in stoppage time.

A fixture that promised goals duly delivered as Jurgen Klopp's side exploited the visitors' customary open approach against the top teams, with the first half played at a frenetic pace.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Fabinho nicked the ball in midfield and found Luis Diaz, who fed Andy Robertson down the left flank. His powerful cross was clearly blocked by Stuart Dallas with his hand and referee Michael Oliver pointed directly to the spot, with Salah sending Illan Meslier the wrong way.

Team news

Jurgen Klopp made five to the Liverpool team which came from behind to beat Norwich on Saturday. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson returned to the full-back positions, and there was a brand new midfield three as Fabinho, Thiago, and Curtis Jones were drafted into the starting line-up. Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas dropped to the Liverpool bench.
Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to the Leeds United team beaten by Manchester United on Sunday. Raphinha returned to the starting line-up after starting Sunday’s 4-2 defeat on the bench, while Junior Firpo got the nod from the start in a defensive reshuffle as Robin Koch (concussion) and Diego Llorente miss out.

Just 15 minutes later, Matip gathered the ball and had ample time close to the halfway line, look up and find Salah down the right flank, who then threaded an inch-perfect return pass for Matip - who had continued his run into the box - to smash past Meslier.

Liverpool ramped up the pressure as the half progressed, with Salah threading another pinpoint pass for the onrushing Mane, who looked to round Meslier before being upended by Luke Ayling's trailing leg to concede another penalty, which Salah converted with aplomb, again.

Klopp's side continued to rattle Leeds, cutting through midfield with ease and inventive combinations to find pathways into the box. It should have been four before the break, with Trent Alexander-Arnold whipping a free-kick behind the defensive line and Matip's touch finding Fabinho, who blazed wide.

Liverpool remained dominant after the break, but the pace of the game slowed as Leeds appeared to assert a degree of damage control, with Salah missing a second opportunity to seal his hat-trick, spurning his effort over the bar after being found by Curtis Jones.

Mane scored his first goal 10 minutes from time. Jordan Henderson won a loose ball from a poor Meslier clearance before feeding Salah, who produced a stunning reverse, return pass for the England midfielder to then sweep a searching ball across the box for Mane to fire home.

Substitute Divock Origi created the fifth goal, breaking down the left flank and colliding with Meslier, with the ball spinning into the path of Mane to double his haul.

The sixth and final blow for Leeds came in stoppage time with Virgil van Dijk heading home unopposed from a Robertson corner.

Man of the match - Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian could have had a hat-trick before the break but still registered three goal involvements, converting two penalties and assisting Matip, having also executed the incisive pass for Mane which led to the second spot-kick.

Klopp: Salah and Mane on top form

"In the end, it went pretty smoothly. It was really hard work, because they make it hard work. We had to find a bit during the game and calm our possession. It's really tricky - if you play against a man-marking side, you tend to feel pressure when there is none. The game becomes hectic, and Leeds are really good when the game is hectic.

"There might be some people out there that think penalties should not count [for players]. To be honest, when you have a penalty, you want the right person on the spot to put it away - that's what Mo did. On top of that, he played a really, really good game. Sadio's game was one of his best, the way he interpreted the role - playing in the centre - and how he got away from opponents and opened gaps."

Bielsa: We are fighting relegation

"The distances between the two teams - we were never able to reduce them. Of course, we thought it would be difficult to play an even-keel game, but we wanted to prevent what ended up happening. A result like today, you can't explain it with the absences. We are fighting relegation and, of course, it worries it me."

Opta stats: Liverpool extend unbeaten home run

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 26 home matches in all competitions (W19 D7); since losing six in a row at Anfield in a run ending in March 2021. The Reds are the only Premier League side not to lose in a home game in all competitions this season.
Liverpool are now just three points behind top of the table Manchester City in the Premier League, the fewest points they've been behind them since Christmas Day (also three).
Leeds have lost every Premier League match against the current top-four this season (Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd), conceding at least three goals in all six defeats (28 goals in total).
Leeds have suffered two 6+ goal defeats in a single league season for only the second time in their history (0-7 vs Man City, 0-6 tonight), after the 1934-35 season, when they lost 8-1 to Stoke and 7-1 to Chelsea.