Jesse Marsch believes his Leeds United players proved him right in memorable victory over Liverpool - Yorkshire Post 30/10/22
Jesse Marsch felt Leeds United’s stunning 2-1 win over Liverpool is evidence that his players have belief in what he is trying to achieve at Elland Road.
By Ben McKenna
With Leeds coming into the match on the back of an
eight-game winless run, many had expected that to be extended to nine against a
Liverpool side who – despite their struggles away from home – had not lost a
game at Anfield in 29 matches.
During the Whites’ run without a league victory, just two of
those results were draws. Marsch felt that was harsh on his side as Crysencio Summerville’s
late goal saw Leeds claim a dramatic win at Liverpool to ease the pressure on
their head coach and inflict another damaging defeat on their hosts.
"I think they were," said Marsch, when asked how
much he felt the players were fighting for him.
"But they were fighting for us, they believe in what we
are doing. It has been painful for all of us.
"They take heat from different people from different
sources. The manager takes stress. It is impossible to work in football in this
day and age in isolation.”
It was the Whites’ first away win of the season and was
enough to lift them out of the bottom three and into 15th position.
Ratings from Leeds United's memorable win at Anfield. #lufc https://t.co/VNXp7ExR95
— Yorkshire Post Sport (@YPSport) October 29, 2022
Last weekend, Leeds lost to Fulham at Elland Road with
sections of the home support vocally calling for Marsch to be sacked. However,
the American felt there was a change in mentality from his side at Anfield.
After going 1-0 up through Rodrigo – who pounced on a loose
back-pass from Joe Gomez – Leeds were pegged back by Mohammed Salah.
Illan Meslier made nine saves as he denied Darwin Nunez and
Roberto Firmino on a number of occasions. His total number of stops is the most
made by a Premier League goalkeeper this season.
"When it was close against Fulham, we were more waiting
to lose rather than pushing to win,” added Marsch.
"The best part was that you saw real resolve at 1-1. We
needed Illan to make some big saves but I think the mentality to push and stay
in the match - and see if we could walk away with one point or get all three
was really strong.
"We showed resolve and belief in the team. It was necessary
to stop the bleeding. I am happy for our guys.”
He continued: "I am happy for our team because I
believe in them and I have told them that often. I have challenged them to
continue to get better and to stay strong and unified and they have done that.
"In a moment like this, if you are a real leader – the
focus is on your people. It is an incredibly-tough moment in our season, in an
incredibly-tough place to play against one of the best teams in the world. To
come away with three points is a big moment for all of them.”
Up next for Leeds is a home game against Bournemouth on
Saturday. The Cherries looked set to pull off an upset of their own at the
weekend as they took a 2-0 lead against Tottenham Hotspur before crumbling to a
3-2 defeat.
Leeds now sit one point behind the south coast club.
"We have to use this to launch ourselves,” added Marsch
of his side’s win at Anfield.
