Harry Kewell shocked by Leeds United surrender in Liverpool thrashing
Harry Kewell invoked his history at the club in explaining his fears for Leeds United after he saw them “give up” in the 6-0 hammering at Liverpool.
After Daniel James almost caught Alisson napping and was unlucky to not be awarded a penalty early on at Anfield, the visitors fell apart, conceding two penalties of their own and twice in injury time at the end of the game.
The result, coupled with Burnley’s surprise win over Tottenham leaves the Whites only three points above the relegation zone having played more games then the three teams below them.
Former United winger Kewell said on the Supersport broadcast following the final whistle: “I’m shocked from a Leeds point of view.
“I grew up there and I learnt my trade there, and the one thing that you do is you never give up.
“It just felt like they gave up towards the end there.”
Chastening experience
Coming off the back of a valiant effort in the draining defeat to Manchester United, in torrential conditions, fans may not have expected much from a trip to high-flying Liverpool.
But to be demolished in the manner which they were was very concerning, particularly as there was none of the fight shown at Elland Road on Sunday.
A 2-0 deficit was wiped out in less than 30 seconds on that occasion, but there was no hint of that happening against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
To be heading into the final 10 minutes at 3-0 down and the game clearly lost but to still end up on the end of a 6-0 scoreline is particularly worrying.
As Kewell suggested, it felt like the players had given up, and while that might be understandable in some ways it could come back to haunt them.
What seemed like a slight concern only recently is now becoming a major worry as relegation could end up coming down to goal difference, with Leeds’ significantly worse than all but bottom side Norwich.
Kewell had moved to the other side of the fixture by the time Leeds were relegated last time, but Bielsa’s men are currently threatening to repeat that journey.
In other Leeds United news, Stephen Warnock found one bright spot in the game, hailing one Whites man as “tenacious”.