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Leeds 0-3 Liverpool: Salah, Mane and Fabinho strike but Reds win overshadowed by Harvey Elliott injury

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Liverpool moved level on points with the Premier League leaders with victory over Leeds, but the result was overshadowed by a serious injury to youngster Harvey Elliott.

The Reds continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 3-0 win at Elland Road, and go third in the table, behind Manchester United and Chelsea on goal difference.

Mo Salah’s 100th Premier League goal opened the scoring, with Fabinho doubling the lead soon after half-time, before Leeds had Pascal Struijk sent off for a challenge on Elliott that saw the midfielder stretchered off while receiving oxygen. Sadio Mane eventually made it three during a lengthy period of stoppage time due to the Elliott injury.

Jurgen Klopp was boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho after Brazil’s football federation withdrew their request to Fifa for a five-day ban for players who did not join up with the squad during the international break because of Covid quarantine restrictions.

The Reds tooks the lead when Joel Matip’s venture forward saw him find Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right and the full-back’s low cross was turned in from close range by Salah.

Salah appeared to have teed up a second soon after when crossing for Thiago Alcantara to nod home but the flag was subsequently raised for an offside in the build-up.

Instead, they had to wait until soon after the restart for a deserved second as Virgil van Dijk’s knock down was turned home by Fabinho at the second attempt after his first effort had been blocked by Patrick Bamford.

Much of the life was sucked out of what had been a flowing game by the sight of Elliott’s injury, with teammate Salah immediately rushing the physios onto the field and several players looking in distress. The Englishman was at least able to return the fans’ applause as he was carried off.

The result was finally confirmed late on as Mane, who had missed a hatful of chances, fired home on the turn.

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