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Premier League | Gameweek 31

Apr 17, 2023 at 8pm UK

Elland Road

Leeds
1 - 6
Liverpool

Sinisterra (47')

FT(HT: 0-2)

Gakpo (35'), Salah (39', 64'), Jota (52', 73'), Nunez (90')
Fabinho (42')

Javi Gracia urges Leeds United to "improve as quick as possible" after heavy Liverpool loss

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 17 April 2023

Javi Gracia urges his Leeds United side to "improve as quick as possible" following Monday night's humbling 6-1 defeat at home against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Javi Gracia has urged his Leeds United side to "improve as quick as possible" following Monday night's humbling 6-1 defeat at home against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Eight days on from being thrashed 5-1 at home to Crystal Palace, Leeds were put to the sword by Liverpool in emphatic fashion at Elland Road as goals from Mohamed Salah (2), Diogo Jota (2), Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez helped the Reds cruise to victory.

After Liverpool took a two-goal lead into half time, Leeds supporters were given hope when Luis Sinisterra caught Ibrahima Konate dawdling on the edge of his area before chipping the ball over Allison Becker less than two minutes after the interval.

However, three goals within the space of 12 second-half minutes put the Reds back in control of proceedings before substitute Nunez wrapped up the rout with a sixth in added time.

Leeds have now conceded at least five goals in successive home matches for the first time in their history and also have the worst defensive record in this season's top flight having conceded 60 goals in their 31 games.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores against Leeds United on April 17, 2023 © Reuters

Gracia's men remain embroiled in a congested relegation battle as they sit 16th in the Premier League table, just two points above the bottom three with seven fixtures remaining.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat, Gracia said: "Very disappointed because we didn't expect this result. It's something we have to work on.

"Playing in this way, conceding these mistakes, it's not easy to get good results in this important part of the season. We have to improve as quick as possible.

"Maybe the first [Liverpool goal] is handball, I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter. After that we conceded many chances. We scored a goal in the beginning of the second half. We were in the game but another mistake didn't let us compete.

"We felt we could improve the game and the result. After that [third] goal we conceded another goal and it was not possible for us."

The Spaniard added: "We knew before these games it's not easy to manage in this moment. There's only one way, try to work and improve. It's hard. We have to try to stay together in good and bad moments."

Leeds United's Robin Koch in action with Liverpool's Cody Gakpo on April 17, 2023 © Reuters

Defender Robin Koch, who was handed the captain's armband for the final 25 minutes after Rodrigo's substitution, added: "Obviously we knew it would be a tough game. We started with a clear plan and tried to get them on the counter.

"Then we conceded two goals and it's an extremely difficult game against a team like Liverpool. It's a tough game against them. They had more space.

"It's hard for us but we need to put this game aside. We have three massive games coming up."

Leeds now turn their attention to Saturday's encounter against Fulham at Craven Cottage and head to the capital having won only one of their last nine Premier League away matches.

The Whites will then conclude the month of April with two potentially pivotal fixtures against relegation rivals Leicester City at home and Bournemouth away.