Liverpool hit Leeds for six at Elland Road to keep European hopes alive

Liverpool decimated relegation-battling Leeds United 6-1 at Elland Road to keep their hopes of finishing in the European places alive this evening.

Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah bagged a brace each to halt Liverpool’s five-match winless run in style, while leaky Leeds have now conceded five or more goals in consecutive home games.

Liverpool established a foothold early in the game, dominating proceedings and setting the tone for the rest of the clash as Leeds looked to sit back and hit the Reds on the counter.

Their tactical plans nearly paid off early on when a free-kick routine ended with Jack Harrison finding Rodrigo with a cross, but his header fell right into the arms of Alisson.

The Reds took a while to find their rhythm, but they became unstoppable once it clicked as Cody Gakpo and Salah struck in quick succession with half-time on the horizon.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had a game to remember, set up Gakpo to break the deadlock with an easy tap-in before Jota teed up Salah, who rifled his shot past Illan Meslier at the near post.

Liverpool went into the break with a comfortable lead, but Leeds threatened a comeback early in the second half as a stroke of luck offered them a way back into the game.

Luis Sinisterra pounced upon a heavy touch from Ibrahima Konate, driving into the area before lobbing the onrushing Alisson just two minutes after the interval.

However, Liverpool restored their two-goal advantage just five minutes later when Curtis Jones found Jota with an inch-perfect pass, and the Portuguese forward slotted home.

In the same fashion as last weekend when they shipped in five goals against Crystal Palace, Leeds capitulated with no hopes of re-asserting themselves in the tie.

Gakpo turned provider as Liverpool hit the Lilywhites on the break, finding Salah in the box, and the Egyptian made no mistake curling past a helpless Meslier.

However, the French goalkeeper was not done picking the ball out of his net as Jota put the game well out of their reach with a first-time effort from the edge of the area that went in off the post.

Leeds had suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign in the mauling against Palace last weekend, but Liverpool ensured they broke new ground in front of the Elland Road faithful.

Alexander-Arnold recorded his second assist of the night, picking out substitute Darwin Nunez who slotted home Liverpool’s sixth to ensure a memorable return to winning ways for the Reds. 

Liverpool are now nine points off the Champions League places and will hope to build on their emphatic success when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield.

Another miserable night for Leeds leaves Javi Gracia’s side staring into the abyss as only two points now separate them from the relegation zone, with a trip to Fulham on the horizon.