Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has singled out one area of Leeds United’s performance after they secured a hard-earned point at Anfield.
Daniel Farke caused some consternation when his line-up for the trip to Liverpool was announced, as leading goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin dropped to the bench.
However, the Leeds boss was vindicated as his side held out for a battling 0-0 draw against the defending Premier League champions.
In truth, Leeds could have pinched all three points from a tight game had Calvert-Lewin not drifted into an offside position to see his potential winner chalked off in the closing stages of the game.
But according to Liverpool’s Frimpong, Leeds’ defensive set-up was the most impressive facet of their game, as the Whites secured a valuable point on the road.
Who was your man of the match from Leeds’ battling draw at Anfield? 🧱
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United
Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Jeremie Frimpong praises Leeds United
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the game, Frimpong was full of praise for Leeds’ defensive set-up at Anfield.
According to Frimpong, Leeds successfully frustrated their opponents, as the Whites secured a first clean sheet since August.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
The Liverpool defender said: “Frustrating – we wanted to win the game. They defended well. At the end of the day, 0-0 was very frustrating, but onto the next game.
“They defended really well. Obviously, we tried, but we didn’t try hard enough. We had a couple [of chances]. I had a couple; I think I should have delivered the ball better.
Ethan Ampadu blocks a shot during Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“In training, and in recovery, we know what we can do. We have created a lot of chances. We need to go into the next game and do what we need to do, but better.
“We know what we should do, we know the movements, and we know the patterns.”
Ethan Ampadu was the unsung hero in the Leeds defence
While several players in the Leeds back line impressed in a battling display, Ethan Ampadu was arguably the pick of the bunch, as he produced a captain’s performance.
According to the FotMob stats from the game, Ampadu made the most defensive contributions of any player on the pitch, with 16, which includes the most tackles, interceptions and blocks of any player on the pitch.
How good was Ethan Ampadu against Liverpool? 🙌
The Leeds captain stood tall at Anfield
Ethan Ampadu of Leeds United
Credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
The only blot on his copybook was his inability to make the most of Leeds’ best chance of the first half, when he shot tamely from distance with Alisson scrambling after a poor clearance.
Ampadu’s controversial booking will rule him out of the game against Manchester United. On current form, that is a major blow to Leeds’ chances of picking up another result.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox