Your Leeds United headlines for Sunday, January 1.
Gakpo talks Whites doubts
New Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo has admitted he was "doubtful" about signing for Leeds in the summer. The transfer agenda at Elland Road was dominated by the Dutchman but he decided to stay at PSV Eindhoven.
After a stellar start to 2022-23, Gakpo also put himself in the shop window with three goals at the World Cup. Liverpool stumped up £37million to sign the 23-year-old and put the final nail in the coffin for Leeds' interest.
‘"It was difficult this summer. It was a very intense period," said Gakpo. "I tried to find my peace, but it was difficult. I thought I was going to Manchester United, but in the end it didn’t work out.
"Leeds United came in. They are a good club, but I asked myself if I should really go there and when you have a lot of doubts, it is not good."
Leeds' marking criticised
Former Newcastle United midfielder and England international Chris Waddle has branded Jesse Marsch and Leeds United as "woeful" after their 0-0 draw against the Magpies on Saturday afternoon.
"The marking was absolutely woeful," Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "There were two Newcastle players queuing up and they should have hit the target at least. You can see why Leeds have leaked goals on set pieces this season."
Read more: Leeds United answer defensive questions in Newcastle draw but Ayling and Harrison let chances slip
"From the last three set pieces, Newcastle should be 3-0 up. What are Leeds doing? You’ve got to mark a man, all they do is mark space. There’s not one of them who wants to attack the ball and head it."
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Marsch happy with clean sheet
Jesse Marsch lauded yesterday's clean sheet at St James' Park as "valuable" after the 0-0 draw. The Whites had failed to keep the ball out of their net for 10 games leading up to the clash against Newcastle.
"I think the point is valuable but even more valuable is the clean sheet for us," Marsch said. "They’ve been, since I've been here, not so easy to come by. We felt going into the World Cup break and coming out of the pause that we had that we gave goals away too cheaply and we really wanted to try to do better with that.
"We talked about both the tactics of what that would mean and then also the mentality to do whatever it takes to defend your goal."
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Marsch on Meslier
Illan Meslier was singled out for praise by Marsch for his heroics against the Magpies. Despite having twice as many shots Leeds, Newcastle could not find a way past the Frenchman as the scoreline remained level.
"With Illan I'm always challenging him to mature with his presence in goal," Marsch said. "With his belief in himself with himself, with his assuredness in decision making and with saves and with crosses.
"For me, by being the last defender at the right time, the choices he made with the ball, the saves he made, the crosses that he caught, this is probably his best performance since I've been here, even with Liverpool.
"So I think we're seeing it, seeing a goalkeeper that's growing right before our eyes and that's going to be really important for us."
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