Anfield Stadium.
Just now, George Li had completed his second head-holding action in the first half.
After seeing Kaka at his peak just two days ago, today he learned what Torres of Liverpool is.
Because Woodgate suffered from a thigh injury again today, Albuchesson got the opportunity to start. What Torres is best at is dealing with such tall central defenders.
In fact, Albchesson is not very tall. He is nearly 1.9 meters tall and is only slightly taller than the average central defender. And in the three seasons since he came to Leeds United, due to the tactical requirements of the head coach, the Dane has added a lot of flexibility, ball control, and turning training.
But this time he faced Torres.
The league started 4 rounds, and Liverpool only played 3 games due to 1 round less. Torres only scored one goal in the third round against Chelsea.
Therefore, the players on the Leeds United field did not pay enough attention to the "Holy Infant", even though George Lee had already taken care of his players before the game.
In the 6th minute of the game, Babel on the left side of Liverpool forced an overtake. He took advantage of the initial move to come out half as fast as Milner and passed the ball across the center.
Torres stepped in in time to grab the ball in front of the goal, but failed to hit the right spot and the ball was confiscated by Van der Sar.
In the 15th minute of the game, it was Torres who received Gerrard's pass again and passed Albuchesson with one start.
When he came to the penalty area, he took a shot and shot slightly higher than the crossbar. It shocked the Leeds United players and coaches into a cold sweat.
"Don't underestimate Liverpool." George Li was standing on the sidelines directing the game. There was no one around him, so he was talking to himself.
Previously, he had been immersed in the gloating after Chelsea's Mourinho resigned, believing that Leeds United lost a strong opponent on the road to defending the title this season.
But now he understands that other opponents are also improving and strengthening their strength.
Especially this Liverpool team.
Liverpool's frontcourt, which was originally criticized, suddenly became more powerful after adding Babel and Torres this season and improved a lot.
After the midfield combination of Gerrard and Alonso strengthened Mascherano during the winter transfer last season, the midfield iron triangle that Benitez was looking for was finally completed.
Today, the defense line composed of Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia and Arbeloa also faced Leeds United's frontcourt impact and performed with ease.
"It seems that the Premier League this season will not be easy." George Li put the baseball cap he had just taken off on his head again and muttered to himself again.
On the court, Leeds United began to attack. After nearly 15 minutes of confrontation with Liverpool in the midfield, Lee George found that Liverpool's midfield was now quite stable. The three have a clear division of labor. Mascherano is responsible for defense, Alonso is responsible for organization, and Gerrard is responsible for forward penetration.
Therefore, Leeds United changed the direction of attack to the wing.
After receiving the ball from Sneijder, Robben tried to break through Arbeloa's defense, but he failed to shake off the opponent well and just came to the bottom line.
"Peter Pan" doesn't just cut inside, he can also cut inside when necessary.
But after trying twice, Robben still failed to find a good chance to pass the ball and could only choose to pass back.
Milner received the ball in the ribs of Liverpool's half and directly chose a 45-degree cross.
Today, Kevin Davis, who also replaced Kuyt in the rotation, did not take advantage of Hyypia in the battle for position. The ball was punched out by Reina who attacked from behind.
The ball flew outside the penalty area, and Gareth Barry, who followed, made a fake volley, which deceived Agger.
Then Barry hit the other side outside the penalty area.
Sneijder met the ball with a long shot.
"duang~"
The ball hit the outside of the post and flew out of the baseline.
Sneijder, who wasted the opportunity, could not hide his disappointment and covered his face with his hands.
George Li off the court couldn't help but shake his head when he saw this scene.
Although Sneijder's ball is big and beautiful, he should still be more calm in choosing opportunities.
At that time, both Davis, who was already in the small penalty area, and Robben, who was already preparing to fight offside on the right, were good passing options.
After all, it is difficult to disrupt Liverpool's defense like this. Most of the time, Benitez's team's defensive formation has been maintained very well, with few obvious loopholes.
Although it was a pity that Sneijder's goal hit the post. But in fact, it is more caused by Sneijder's shooting ability, and it may not have this effect if it were replaced by others. But what George Li needs is not this, but hopes that the team can create better offensive opportunities.
Li George felt it during the match against AC Milan. The team's lineup has become increasingly perfect, but there are still problems with tactical coordination.
On the forward line, neither Kuyt nor Davis is the kind of scoring weapon that kills everyone in the small penalty area, but more of a retracement, movement, support, and passing function. This means that Leeds United's real offensive threat is Smith, Sneijder, and Robben behind the forward.
In other words, Leeds United has never used a serious forward except Robin van Persie from beginning to end, and after the second season, Van Persie began to play as a right winger.
But the current problem is that the three offensive cores behind Leeds United's front line all have problems with offensive selection.
Smith is not good at playing on the wing, and likes to go straight up and down in the middle. When he is on the left, he does not have a clear speed advantage. He is more about controlling the ball and then attacking again.
Although Sneijder gives a refreshing feeling in terms of advancement and organization in the frontcourt, this is something that Leeds United has not seen in previous seasons. However, the excessive physical confrontation in the Premier League has had a great impact on Sneijder. Even though Sneijder is not afraid of confrontation, in high-intensity 90-minute games, Sneijder at this stage often follows him in the final stages of the game. Not up to the pace of the game.
Finally, George Lee has been thinking about Robben for a whole season. After joining Leeds United and being fixed to the right winger position, he still needs to improve in cutting options and shooting options. Too many stray shots have appeared in the locker room. Bad sound. Even Robben was consciously controlling his shots, but he found that as soon as he cut inside, he couldn't hold back and always felt like he could kick the ball in.
If the defense is not strong, it will affect the offense; conversely, if the offense is not smooth, it will affect the defense.
In the 34th minute of the game, Leeds United launched a good offensive opportunity.
Smith quickly counterattacked and passed the ball to the right when he came to the penalty area.
The ball passed behind Davis, in front of Sneijder, and came to the feet of Robben.
It was originally a good offensive opportunity, but Robben spent too much time adjusting before shooting, which gave Arbeloa a chance.
The Spanish full-back has quick eyes and quick feet. He directly tackles the ball and destroys the ball accurately.
The ball was shoveled to Agger's side, and the Liverpool defender quickly passed the ball to Alonso who was retreating before the Leeds frontcourt players could counterattack.
Having played against each other many times, Agger clearly knows how quickly Leeds United presses in the frontcourt. If he does not release the ball immediately, then the Leeds United frontcourt players will definitely come over to press him and block the ball at the same time. Pass the ball to several nearby teammates.
But I am afraid that there is no other way except passing it back to the goalkeeper or taking a big kick. Several other Premier League teams have even used "bloody" lessons to tell other teams that sometimes, when facing pressure from Leeds United, it is wrong to pass back to the goalkeeper.
Alonso dropped deep and got the pass from Agger. Because if he doesn't retreat, Barry and Parker will come over and stick to him. At that time, it will be difficult for him to turn around.
Stop the ball, turn around, swing your legs.
Alonso passed the ball through before Barry could defend him. The target is behind Leeds United's entire defense.
There, a man wearing a red No. 9 jersey also crossed the Leeds United defense after Alonso passed the ball.
Albuchesson and Matteisen struggled to catch up, but still couldn't catch up with Torres' speed.
Jump up and gently remove the ball with your toes, sucking the ball to your feet like a suction cup. He didn't let the football bounce too far and kept it within his own range.
Land and accelerate again.
Standing alone, facing the attacking Van der Sar, he raised his right foot a little, giving Van der Sar the feeling of pushing.
During the smash, Van der Sar didn't even touch one of Torres' hairs, let alone the ball.
Empty goal, score!
1 to 0.
^^^
This was also the only goal in the game.
Leeds United suffered a defeat at Anfield.
It was also in the post-match interview that George Lee learned from the media that Leeds United's 46-game unbeaten streak spanning three seasons had been ended.
The last 4 games of the 05/06 season, the 38 games of the entire 2006/07 season, and the first 4 games of the 07/08 season to date.
Leeds United's longest unbeaten run in the league is fixed at the number "46".
