Tyler Adams had just completed 90 of the hardest minutes he’s had for Leeds United, but you would not have believed it based on his final-whistle exertions. Adams just kept going and going and going as he sprinted to celebrate with Jesse Marsch, before racing to the away end for screaming and fist pumps.
It all played into the indefatigable streak Adams has shown since arriving in the summer. The USA international was sorely missed in the loss to Fulham and all too gladly welcomed back on a special night at Anfield.
Illan Meslier did his best to outshine the midfielder, but Adams’s consistency has been key. While others may see their form rise and fall through a season which has limped along so far, Adams has repeatedly been one of, if not the best player in white.
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Only Fulham’s Joao Palhinha has tackled more players (53) than Adams (44) in the entire league this term. Nobody has tackled more players dribbling (24) than Adams. Adams’s combined tackles and interceptions tally (57) is only bettered by three players in the division.
The impressive addition in Saturday’s performance was what Adams did with the ball when he had it. Nobody in the Leeds team completed more progressive passes (six) than the former RB Leipzig man. So, not only was he the fly in Liverpool's ointment, the 23-year-old was effective in getting Leeds up the pitch too.
Brenden Aaronson put in the kind of attacking display on Saturday which keeps the debate honest, but it’s hard to argue against Adams as the club’s best summer recruit and front-runner in the Player of the Year race. It’s not just his on-field talents, it’s the way Adams carries himself.
Whenever the American has been interviewed he’s intelligent, open, trusting and articulate with what he says. He has the street-fighter edge fans warm to. Just look at the speed of his drive into Andrew Robertson’s personal space when he had a nibble at his mate Aaronson on the turf.
The full-time celebrations summed up that fans’ favourite possibility too. Not every player is minded to completely cut loose in the way Adams did in front of the fans after the final whistle. That’s what they’re craving: emotion, sharing those moments, understanding what it means and fighting for everything on the pitch.
Much like Kalvin Phillips was, Adams is the midfielder so many of the continent’s best sides could do with in the centre of the park. At 23, with a contract to 2027, Leeds have a new beating heart on the pitch.
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