Liverpool v Leeds United 23rd February 2022 at Anfield - Followmeandleedsunited.co.uk 24/2/22
Heidi Haigh
With lots of fans already resigned to a loss before we
headed to Anfield, my thoughts are that if you think you are beaten before you
even step onto the pitch then you might as well not turn up. I believe that you
have to keep fighting and never give up, whilst that can be said of the fans,
sadly that cannot be said of the club at the moment. By going earlier than the
last time we travelled to Anfield, we were lucky to avoid all the snarl ups on
the M62 that many other fans had to contend with. After a lovely stop at
Leyland once again, we arrived in good time for the game and as we were with
Nikki we were allowed straight off the coach with a personal escort across the
park. After ensuring she was in the ground safely, my daughter Danielle stayed
with Nikki until I got back from taking photos of the Leeds United Supporters
Club laying a wreath at the memorial for the 97 fans who died at Hillsborough.
Meslier had to be on his toes to make an early save from
Liverpool. It didn’t take Leeds long to be on the backfoot when the referee
pointed to the spot after a cross hit Dallas on the arm. Them damn penalties
being given again! That said, when it looked like Leeds had bounced back with
an equaliser from Raphinha which had the Leeds fans celebrating, we realised
the goal had been disallowed for offside. That was the nail in the coffin for
us because the small margins of equalising or not, then saw Liverpool get a
second goal shortly afterwards to make getting back into the game even harder.
When the referee pointed to the spot again when I was convinced, we had got the
ball with great defending, I knew we were up against it. When it looked like
they were going to get a fourth, Firpo somehow managed to whip the ball off the
line to keep the score at three goals down going into half time.
Although Leeds tried in the second half, we never really
looked like getting back into the game as Meslier had to make a further save to
keep them out. I think it was in the 61st minute that we actually had a shot on
target (apart from the disallowed goal) when Forshaw’s shot was saved by their
keeper. It would have been nice to see the game out with the score at 3-0 but
Leeds capitulated in the final 10 minutes with Liverpool scoring a further
three goals which despite being so demoralising, still saw the Leeds fans
getting behind the team. It’s a shame the fans don’t win games!
Where do we go from here is anyone’s guess? To me, something
is seriously wrong in the background especially after seeing Ayling and Meslier
arguing. I don’t blame things on Meslier at all, yes, he has made some mistakes
but how other many others in the team made them too? If it wasn’t for Meslier
we would have been looking at even more goals scored against us. He can only be
as good as the team players in front of him but if they are continually leaving
him wide open, making him a scapegoat is wrong. Our fighting spirit and playing
as a team is sadly missing and I know when decisions go against you as well as
injuries hitting us so badly, they will have a big impact on what happens. We
have to start playing to our strengths as we have cover for some of the positions
for example, I would have put Cresswell in the back four and kept Ayling in his
normal position. It is up to the team players, Bielsa and the club as a whole,
to put a halt to our horrible decline, otherwise we know where it is heading. I
will still always have faith we can turn things around so come on Leeds,
believe in yourselves! LUFC – Marching on Together!
