Leeds hand out lesson in life at top

Jan 21 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

A WEEKEND ruined by the rain didn’t get any better for Liverpool as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds yesterday in the National Premier League.

Both Everton’s home game with Birmingham and Tranmere’s trip to Chester were victims of waterlogged pitches, but the trusty surface at Skelmersdale held back the waters and was deemed playable.

The last time Liverpool met Leeds, David Bradley’s side pulled off a shock victory in the first round of the League Cup.

But this time they couldn’t match that feat.

The away side were awarded a debatable penalty, converted by Amanda Barr after just 26 minutes, to leave the home side with an uphill struggle.

Before Bradley’s team could get to half-time to re-group, Sue Smith doubled the advantage before the break.

United sealed the game when Mel Sutcliffe made it 3-0 just minutes into the second period.

But the Liverpool manager was keen to point out that Leeds are an established top-flight team, while his players are still adapting to life in the National division.

“What today showed was that Leeds have more quality than us,” said Bradley. “I thought on the day maybe Leeds wanted to win it a bit more. In terms of their overall fitness, they were superior to us as well.

“We addressed a few issues in the changing room afterwards but we now need to get back to the training ground and improve ourselves. We have a big game next week with Blackburn and a very important game against Cardiff the following week.”

Liverpool visit Blackburn in the fifth round of the FA Cup, while Mo Marley’s Everton travel to Leicester City in the same competition at the weekend.

And the Everton manager will be looking to her side to maintain a high level of performance.

Tranmere will also try at the second attempt to play their Cheshire Cup game at Chester on Sunday.