Robbie Keane and Micah Richards have labelled Leeds United’s defence as ‘all over the place’ and ‘not good enough’ after their 4-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Jesse Marsch’s side put up a spirited performance but lacked the quality needed to take anything from the game. Two set-piece goals from Rodri and Nathan Ake set City on course before late strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho rubbed salt in the wound.
The odds were stacked against the Whites from the off, with Liam Cooper injured in training and Stuart Dallas stretchered off in first-half injury time. But poor defending from set-plays and a lack of composure when breaking forward cost them.
Read more: Every word from Jesse Marsch's post-match press conference
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, former Whites striker Robbie Keane and Michah Richards lamented the defensive woes.
“City dominated and got the early goal then there was a middle part of the game when Leeds came into it.” Richards said. “This is the difference between City and Liverpool. When they get the chances, they’re ruthless.
“Whatever they do, they know set-pieces will count. Some of the defending from Leeds today was just not good enough.
"They didn’t learn from the first one. It’s a beautiful finish from Ake. But again, you can lose the first header, but it’s how you react to the second. It’s just not good enough. These sort of moments are why they found themselves where they are.”
It’s hard to say whether the defending of those situations would have improved had Cooper been playing, but the Scot is Leeds’ best defender in terms of aerial duels and a leader in those moments when the box is packed. And Keane accepted the misfortune of the missing skipper but agreed that Leeds were worryingly disorganised.
"Certainly between now and the end of the season, they need to nail this down.” He added.
“Leeds have to defend these better. The first goal, if you look at the line, it’s all over the place. If Cooper was playing, would he have marked Dias? Possibly.
“He’s by far the best header of the ball. He was a massive loss. He’s going to be a big miss if he’s not back for these four games.
“They didn’t look like they knew what their jobs were. You have to have a stronger line. Get hold of somebody. Leeds didn’t do it today and they got punished for it.”
The defeat leaves Jesse Marsch’s side on 34 points, behind Burnley on goal difference after the Clarets won their third game in a row at Watford earlier in the day. Both Leeds and Burnley are five points above Everton who have two games in hand - the first of which sees them host Chelsea tomorrow.
