Comparisons have been drawn between Daniel Farke’s Leeds United campaign this season and the year in which Leeds were relegated in 2022-23, having started the season under Jesse Marsch.
On this day in 2022, Leeds had 15 points from 14 games, sitting in a solid 14th position. It comes after big wins against Liverpool and Bournemouth, before a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in North London.
There were calls for Marsch to be sacked, however. Leeds had gone on a run of eight games without a win before the 2-1 victory over Liverpool, losing six times, including defeats to Leicester and Brighton.
Compare that to now, Leeds have 11 points from 11 games, and Daniel Farke is coming under intense pressure for his role as manager. Marsch would remain in a job until February, before finally losing his job.
Jesse Marsch during Leeds' 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jesse Marsch recalls Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool
Understandably, Leeds fans had written off the trip to Anfield following the run of six defeats and no wins in eight Premier League games. But a mistake in the Liverpool defence saw Rodrigo open the scoring.
In what was Marsch’s best moment as a Leeds manager, and Illan Meslier’s best performance in a Leeds shirt, Leeds kept Liverpool to just one goal throughout. Mo Salah equalised in the 14th minute.
But Leeds kept Liverpool at bay before Willy Gnonto broke free down the left. His low cross found Patrick Bamford, and his awful first touch was taken on by Crysencio Summerville who netted his first Leeds goal.
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An incredible moment, one Marsch now describes as an “impossibility” to beat Liverpool. On TSN, Marsch recalls how he ended Anfield’s five-year run without defeat at Anfield, excluding the period with no fans.
“I’ve had success there [Anfield] by the way. We were the first team to win there in five years. It’s hostile, high energy. At their best and fans get behind them, you feel like they have their foot on your throat.
“When we won, it was like we achieved an impossibility. When you’re a coach, it’s just relief. The stress, it’s so much harder to stand on the sidelines and make the right decisions and remove the stress. Total relief.”
Why Jesse Marsch could actually see Daniel Farke lose his job
Recently, Andrea Radrizzani actually said something in the public domain that fans, for once, will agree with. Radrizzani admitted he made a mistake in not sacking Marsch during the 2022 World Cup break.
The wins over Liverpool and Bournemouth kept Marsch in a job, but he would not win again as Leeds manager. He remained in the job until February, before being sacked after defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Daniel Farke celebrates after Leeds United beat Everton in the Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The 49ers were on the board in a minority capacity at the time. Paraag Marathe is keen to avoid making the same mistake with Farke, and that may see Farke sacked earlier than the time Marsch was given.
When Marsch did get fired, it was too late – the damage was done. Timing is key. LeedsUnited.News understands that Farke will be given until January to turn things around, but even then, it may be too late.