Masterclass 2 min read

Jesse Marsch: How Leeds beat Klopp’s Liverpool

Jesse Marsch: How Leeds beat Klopp’s Liverpool
Photography by Jon Enoch
Author
Tony Hodson
Published on
January 29 2024

premier league, october 29 2022

Liverpool 1Leeds United 2

Salah (14)

Rodrigo (4)
Summerville (89)

After an encouraging start to the 2022/23 Premier League season, Leeds United travelled to Anfield in late October on the back of four consecutive defeats. With manager Jesse Marsch under increasing pressure, a game against Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool in their own back yard represented a daunting prospect.

The visitors took a shock early lead through Rodrigo, but when Mo Salah equalised soon after it looked like a tough evening for Leeds was only going to get tougher. Marsch’s team stayed in the game, however, and a late strike from Crysencio Summerville (below) secured a hugely important three points.

Summerville's winner subjected Liverpool to their only Premier League defeat at Anfield in the 2022/23 season Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

In this exclusive Masterclass on the Coaches’ Voice tactics board, Marsch discusses the approach behind the crucial victory. Out of possession, he reveals the Liverpool player he wanted his team to target, and how they looked to minimise the impact of dangermen Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah. In transition, he explains the importance of wide attackers Summerville and Jack Harrison — and why they swapped sides for this particular game. Finally, in possession, he describes how he planned to get into the ‘red zone’ between the Liverpool midfield and defensive lines.

It’s a fascinating insight into the task faced by an under-pressure coach leading his team into one of the most difficult stadiums to play football. We hope you enjoy it!

Starting line-ups
LiverpoolLeeds United
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Liverpool4-3-3
Leeds United4-2-3-1
1Alisson
1Illan Meslier
26Andy Robertson
25Rasmus Kristensen
4Virgil van Dijk
5Robin Koch
2Joe Gomez
6Liam Cooper
66Trent Alexander-Arnold
21Pascal Struijk
6Thiago
12Tyler Adams
3Fabinho
8Marc Roca
19Harvey Elliott
11Jack Harrison
27Darwin Núñez
7Brenden Aaronson
9Roberto Firmino
10Crysencio Summerville
11Mo Salah
19Rodrigo
Match stats
LiverpoolLeeds United

19/9

SHOTS / ON TARGET

14/6

66%

POSSESSION

34%

45

ATTACKS INTO AREA

18

1.49

EXPECTED GOALS (XG)

1.34

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