Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw away to Leeds United on Monday in a match overshadowed by the furious response to the Merseysiders’ planned involvement in a breakaway European Super League (ESL). A draw cleared out sixth-placed Liverpool two points unfastened of fourth-placed West Ham in the Premier League.
The Reds opened the scoring before the interval through Sadio Mane only for Diego Llorente to equalize with his first Leeds goal, a header from a corner, three minutes from time. The beat four within the Premier League come the conclusion of the season is as a rule the four English clubs guaranteed a put in next term’s UEFA Champions League.
But indeed if six-time European champions Liverpool wrap up within the top four, they would be prohibited from the competition given they are on a collision course with UEFA, the continent’s football administering body, after emerging as one of 12 teams who have set up plans to make the ESL. Under the proposals, 15 founder individuals would compete in the 20-team competition each year without having to qualify. Supporters from both Leeds and Liverpool dissented outside Elland Road earlier to kick-off, whereas a banner in the stand said: “Earn it on the pitch. Football is for the fans.” Leeds players also wore T-shirts before the diversion carrying similar messages, while a plane flew overhead trailing the message “#SayNoToSuperLeague”.
Addressing protesters, Graham Hyde, of the trust, said: “Fundamentally the game is shifting from being one that has fans at the heart of it to one that is primarily about money.
“This feels like a cataclysmic shift. Now is the time to draw a line in the sand and say ‘enough is enough.”
the trust added: “Success, and to an equal extent failure, is key to keeping the game real. Keeping it tangible and something that is in some way relatable to those that dedicate their lives to following it.
“The idea of the breakaway ‘Super League‘ stands against that notion. It’s about removing competition and removing the potential for failure.”
“We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening,” Dowden said, promising a “very robust response”.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin slammed the plan, calling it a “disgraceful self-serving proposal from a select few clubs purely fuelled by greed”.
Jota was involved as Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 31st miniature, kindling out the run of Trent Alexander-Arnold before the full-back volleyed a first-time shot over the edge of the box for Mane to ease into Leeds net. Only a wonderful square from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson denied Patrick Bamford but Leeds had their equalizer when Llorente headed in Jack Harrison’s in-swinging corner within the 87th minute.
