PLAYER RATINGS: LEEDS UNITED 1-6 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool romped to their biggest away win of the season tonight, trouncing Leeds United 6-1 at Elland Road. Braces by Jota and Salah were bookended by an early Gakpo strike and a late Darwin Nunez finish. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 7

Held onto Rodrigo’s header well early on. Didn’t have much else to do after that. Unfortunately couldn’t keep a clean sheet after Konaté’s error gave away a cheap goal. Played a quick long pass towards Jota to set off a counter attack even though the side was 4-1 up. That underlined the hunger shown tonight.

Alexander-Arnold – 9.5

Magesterial. He looked reborn playing in the double pivot alongside Fabinho. Probably registered the most touches tonight. He ran the show all night and made the difference early on when he intercepted Firpo’s pass and exchanged passes with Salah before laying one on a plate for Gakpo at the backpost.

Notched his second assist of the night with a fantastic through ball over the top after a nonchalant flick of his right foot. Darwin applied the finish but tonight was all about Trent. I can’t believe there were ever doubts he would excel in midfield. It’s now three assists in two games in this quasi midfield/right back role. Long may it continue.

Konaté – 8.5

Rock solid yet again. First half he covered well in the right back area and was so quick to nip in and nick it when it broke. Very front footed. Fantastic tackle on Sinisterra and a huge block to deny Harrison second half. That error to gift Sinisterra a goal was the only blot on his copybook but he got over it pretty quickly.

Van Dijk – 8

His diagonal switches to the right flank kept putting Leeds on the backfoot early on. Didn’t have too much defensive work to do. Was commanding what looked like a back three in possession, with Konaté and Robertson either side of him. Was denied an assist for Salah by a tight offside call. Wanted to get in on the scoring late on and was frustrated when a corner was taken short.

Robertson – 8.5

Showed the energy and desire that has come to define him for the fourth as he pinched the ball back and steamed ahead to receive a return pass and cutback for Gakpo who in turn found Salah for the finish. Hopefully he picks up confidence from this display, as indeed the whole team will. Excellent tackle on Summerville in the box second half.

Fabinho – 8

A bit too slow on the turn, which meant most of the time he received the ball he had to turn backwards because of Aaronson’s press. He was left alone in midfield at times when Leeds broke first half but he dealt with it well. Took out Aaronson when he threatened to break free. Loved that yellow. I celebrated it like a goal.

Henderson – 8.5

Felt like he was playing even higher than usual, with this new formation requiring of him to pull wide right a lot. First half I didn’t feel he did enough on the ball to utilise the spaces he found. Second half he was much improved, with his cross for Jota’s second goal a clear sign of it. His understanding with Trent and Salah is a real plus.

Jones – 8

Another who wasn’t doing enough first half but pulled up his socks in the second period. He threaded the eye of the needle to put Jota through for his first goal. He could have chosen the easier option by passing straight to Gakpo but he backed himself to pull off the more difficult pass and pulled it off brilliantly.

Some nice touches out on the left flank. Still needs to be quicker in popping off the ball as he was caught on the ball to ruin one counter attacking opportunity second half. Worked his socks off and truly committed to the press anytime possession was lost. Encouraging display.

Salah – 9

This new setup gets him on the ball more often as he’s usually the out ball for Konaté and Fabinho on the right. He was heavily involved early on and went close with a header before sending Trent clear to cross for Gakpo and break the deadlock. He made it 2-0 quickly when he latched onto Jota’s pass and lashed one past Meslier.

He then tapped home Van Dijk’s centre from Trent’s free kick but the Dutchman was adjudged to have been in an offside position. He got his second when Gakpo unselfishly found him in the box. A simple curler into the far corner made it 15 league goals for the sixth consecutive season. He’s netted 25 in all competitions in five of his six seasons at the club as well. Phenom.

Gakpo – 8.5

Very quiet first half hour then he popped up with the breakthrough goal, peeling off at the backpost to tap Trent’s cross into an empty net. He grew into it after that, and set up Salah beautifully for his second. He looks menacing when he turns in midfield and runs at the opposition.

Jota – 8.5

First half hour he looked unbelievably rusty, with every pass going awry and almost every touch being unsteady. He did well to rob McKennie of possession in the defensive third though, before sprinting into the attacking third to set up Salah for his first goal.

After 32 matches without a goal he finally ended that drought with a first time curled effort into the top corner. He made it three goal involvements with a terrific hit on the half volley into the bottom corner off Henderson’s cross. Watch him go on a scoring spree now.

Substitutes

Milner – 7

Given a welcome ovation by the Leeds faithful after replacing the skipper.

Diaz – 7

Played on the right. Set Jones up for a chance late on. Wonderful to have him back.

Firmino – 7

Almost connected to Jones’ cross in the six yard box. Produced a lovely turn to get to the byline only to see his cross blocked. Probably should have lofted it and Van Dijk would have scored.

Darwin – 8

Excellent movement saw him break through to take Trent’s ball down on his chest. Didn’t panic despite the ball falling onto his weaker left foot, steering it past Meslier for his 15th of the season in all competitions. Not a bad tally in your debut season.

Thiago – N/A

On for Fabinho late on to play in the anchor role. Saw a few long passes cut out, but pulled off a trademark deceptive line breaking pass into the feet of Firmino.

Jürgen Klopp

Went with the same lineup that started against Arsenal and was rewarded with the best away league performance of the season. This new system (looks like a 3-2-5) seems to be getting the best out of key players. Trent and Salah especially are coming into their own once again.

The manager deserves credit for trying it after seeing it work so well for the top two (Arsenal with Zinchenko and City with John Stones). It looked like the side worked on it in training all week, and the result was clear for all to see. Long may it continue.