Jesse Marsch has told Thursday’s press conference – as per Leeds United’s YouTube – that he does not think Rasmus Kristensen has had a “slow start” at Leeds, but has noticed an improvement following his Liverpool outing.
Kristensen, 25, was one of three players to reunite with Marsch in the summer, along with Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams. The Denmark international made what he even admitted, was a slow start to the Premier League.
Against Liverpool, he was a different animal compared to the Kristensen that started the campaign. Even his tackle on Mo Salah, when the Egyptian was through on goal, Kristensen punched the air as if he had scored a goal.
Asked about Kristensen and what many perceive to be his best display in a Leeds shirt at Anfield, Marsch defended the £43k-a-week defender. He says that he was not that bad to begin with, but his confidence has gone up a gear.
“Adapting to the league, I wouldn’t say he had a slow start. In pre-season he was very good, Wolves too. The level of the league, the full-backs have the hardest tag in this league because of the quality of the wingers in this league.
“The key for him, is he has been more aggressive, more confidence, more self-belief. He’s gone after it more. Aggression is key to the way I manage, we can’t have passive players. He just had to re-adapt to what the quality is.”
Marsch does not think Kristensen has had a slow start at Leeds
Kristensen was superb against Liverpool. Not only was he particularly solid in defence, he was encouraging in attack. It was his pinpoint delivery that saw Brenden Aaronson crash a volley off the Liverpool bar, inches away.
With the Dane fighting with tough competition against Luke Ayling and Cody Drameh, the Dane had initially struggled to show why he should start over Ayling. But in the last couple of games, he is undoubtedly first choice.
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