Lucas Perri’s excellence sees him achieve 31-year first for Leeds United in draw vs Liverpool
Lucas Perri produced a sublime performance during Leeds United’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday.
Perri has been solid for Leeds since arriving from Lyon in the summer transfer window, and the goalkeeper has adapted well to the physical demands of the Premier League.
Last season, Illan Meslier made a series of high-profile mistakes that left Daniel Farke with no choice but to replace him ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Perri missed six weeks of action for Leeds due to a quad strain at the start of the season, but has been consistent since he came back into the team for Leeds’ 2-1 win over West Ham on 24 October.
Against Liverpool, his impenetrable display in goal meant Leeds kept a rare clean sheet at Anfield.
Lucas Perri the first Leeds keeper to keep a clean sheet vs Liverpool since 1995
Leeds have gone unbeaten in a league season against Liverpool for the first time since 2000-01 under David O’Leary.
Against the Reds, Perri did well to thwart attempts from Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai.
With Liverpool failing to find the breakthrough at Anfield, Perri has become the first Leeds goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at Anfield since John Lukic in April 1995.
| Stat | Perri |
| Saves | 4 |
| Goals prevented | 0.76 |
| Recoveries | 6 |
| Throws | 3 |
Despite his promising form, Perri’s underlying numbers don’t look great due to Leeds’ defensive issues throughout October and November.
According to FotMob, he has a save percentage of just 58.6 per cent, and he has failed to save any of the three penalties he has faced so far.
However, with help from his defence, he has gained confidence in between the sticks, and there is surely more to come from the Brazilian.
The Whites kept their first clean sheet since August against Arne Slot’s side, and it typified the gradual work that Farke has put in to stamp out the poor defensive mistakes.
How did Leeds manage to keep their first clean sheet since August?
The 3-5-2 tactic has completely changed Leeds’ season, but despite going five games unbeaten prior to the Liverpool match, there was still a concern over their stability at the back.
After two clean sheets in their first three games, the Peacocks hadn’t kept one in the following 15 matches.
Against the Reds, Leeds were happy to concede shots from distance, and it left the hosts frustrated as they could only muster up four shots on target from 19 attempts.
At Elland Road, matches have been much more emotional, and although it provides great entertainment for the neutrals, it can lead to nervy moments at the back.
While Farke’s side thrive off passion from their fans, there was a more controlled aspect to their defending on Thursday, and sitting deep could work a treat in their upcoming away matches against Newcastle and Everton.
Leeds have to start winning more games away from home if they want to be completely safe from relegation, and the performance against Liverpool was the perfect benchmark.
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