Leeds United surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Rodrigo scored twice for the Whites to give them a comfortable lead in the second half, but the home side hit back with goals coming from Kyle Walker-Peters and Joe Aribo.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from that clash.
Winners
Rodrigo
The Spain international just cannot stop scoring. Including pre-season friendlies, he’s scored in each of his last four appearances now, with two coming at St Mary’s.
Read more: Leeds United player ratings as Rodrigo brace is hauled in by Southampton fightback
He was a lively presence throughout the first-half, but he was on hand to put Leeds in front just a minute or so into the second half, flicking a low Jack Harrison cross goalwards and beating Gavin Bazunu at his near post. He was celebrating again a few minutes later, as he was on hand to nod home Leeds’ second of the game and send the travelling fans wild.
He’s started well and with the World Cup on the way, he’ll be desperate to keep that form up.
Diego Llorente
The defender impressed in Leeds back line, dealing with everything Southampton threw at him. He did have one hairy moment as he appeared to bring down Stuart Armstrong as he burst through the line.
Although the referee let play go on, Llorente was holding his breath when the tackle was assessed by VAR, but it wasn’t deemed worthy of a red card. He was called into action on a number of occasions in the first half and had the answers.
He could do very little in the second half to prevent Southampton’s comeback.
Losers
Liam Cooper
Jesse Marsch revealed Cooper was in contention for selection during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, alongside the likes of Adam Forshaw and Luis Sinisterra. However, the skipper was a notable absentee when the team news landed at St Mary’s an hour before kick-off.
The defender has been struggling with an Achilles injury this summer and missed most of the Whites’ pre-season campaign because of it. Cooper wasn’t expected to start the game on the south coast, but Marsch would have liked to have seen him on the bench, of that there is no doubt.
Patrick Bamford
The striker had hoped his injury troubles were behind him after a torrid season last time around. Foot and hip issues ensured his game time was severely limited, but after a strong pre-season, he looked to be in a good place as he lined up for his second start of the new campaign.
However, Bamford lasted just 28 minutes in the Southampton heat before hitting the deck and being replaced by Dan James. He appeared to be holding his groin as he left the field and took his seat in the dugout.
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