The first third of Liverpool’s 2022/23 season has been an unmitigated disaster. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked as though Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were finally getting back on track. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez gave the Anfield outfit back-to-back 1-0 home wins against champions Manchester City and West Ham United, and it seemed that the team from the red half of Merseyside were finally rising up the table. Oddschecker, which compares odds and provides Premier League free bets, had made Liverpool second favourites before the campaign got underway, and they were finally living up to the mantra.
A resounding 3-0 victory away at Dutch champions Ajax also aided the idea that Klopp’s men had turned a corner. But that all came crashing down on 22nd October with a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat away at then-rock bottom Nottingham Forest. But Salah and co. had the perfect opportunity to put that disappointment behind them last weekend when another side from the division’s drop zone visited Anfield.
It took Leeds United until the last minute of the last match of last season to secure their top-flight status. Jack Harrison’s last-gasp winner away at Brentford on the final day of last term sparked scenes of delirium in the away end in West London. But they don’t seem to be fairing any better this time around. Prior to the trip across the M62, the Whites sat third bottom and three points adrift of safety. More Aleksandr Mitrovic brilliance consigned them to a 3-2 home defeat against newly promoted Fulham last time out and a trip to Anfield will have been the last thing that Jesse Marsch wanted for his side.
Summerville stuns Reds
If the American manager was dreading his side’s trip to Merseyside, then they didn’t show it. They played with heart and endeavour and were rewarded for their efforts with barely three minutes on the clock. A mix-up between Joe Gomez and ‘keeper Alisson Becker – who also slipped at the worst possible moment – allowed the ball to fall to Rodrigo. The Spanish striker was all alone inside the six-yard box with the goal gaping, and he didn’t disappoint, sweeping home in front of a stunned Kop.
The lead didn’t last long, however, barely ten minutes in fact. A spell of pressure for the hosts saw the ball make its way to Andy Robertson on the left, whose picture-perfect cross found an unmarked Salah in the middle. The Egyptian didn’t pass up the opportunity, volleying home from close range for just his fourth Premier League goal this term.
The hosts pushed for a winner for the next 70-plus minutes, but couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Leeds defence and a heroic goalkeeping performance from Illan Meslier. The Frenchman made nine saves – joint most in the division this season – repeatedly thwarting Liverpool’s front three.
The visitors were perhaps good value for their point. They had fought like lions in the cauldron that is Anfield, but few could imagine what was about to happen. A rare foray forward saw the ball make its way to debutant Wilfried Gnonto in the 89th minute. His low cross found Crysencio Summerville in the middle, who managed to stab home past Alisson in front of the travelling support, which erupted when the ball trickled past the Brazilian shot-stopper. The 2-1 victory is their first at Anfield in over 20 years.
Contrasting emotions at full time
For Jurgen Klopp, he once again must return to the drawing board. His side – along with Manchester City – has been the best team in Europe for the last five years, but that all looks set to change this season. This term bears eerie similarities to his final campaign in Germany, which saw his Dortmund side finish way down the Bundesliga table. Although they did finish with the German Cup in their trophy cabinet.
For Jesse Marsch however, this victory could springboard a renaissance in their fortunes. They will be looking up the table rather than over their shoulder, and their travelling faithful will be hoping further positive results will follow.
