Graham Smyth has argued that the scenes involving Liverpool star Mo Salah after Leeds United’s dramatic comeback are a reminder of why the Premier League needs the club.
Daniel Farke enjoyed another frantic evening as Leeds manager, as his side came from behind twice against Liverpool to secure a point in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable.
However, Leeds’ thrilling Premier League clash was overshadowed by the comments made by Salah after the game, as he claimed he had been thrown under the bus by the club.
Elland Road was at its febrile best during the game, as the famous old ground witnessed another moment of history, and another off-field meltdown.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, Salah’s mixed zone comments show exactly why the top-flight is improved by Leeds United’s presence in it.
What was your favourite moment against Chelsea and Liverpool? 🤯
Lucas Radebe loved it!
Leeds United relish giving the big Premier League teams ‘bloody noses’
Nigel Martyn compared the atmosphere during the games against Chelsea and Liverpool with some of the Champions League nights of the early 2000s, as Leeds took four points from two of the biggest clubs in the competition.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth explained that this is exactly what the Premier League needs, as Leeds delivered two thoroughly entertaining contests.
Smyth said: “A lot of people talk about when they go into the Premier League as a promoted side, you want to go up against the best teams and you want to see some of the best players.
“I don’t think anyone at Elland Road, certainly not of a Leeds persuasion, went to the stadium hoping to see Mo Salah play and maybe score a nice goal.
Are you worried that Elland Road will lose its intimidating atmosphere in the rebuild? 😤🏟️
The 49ers have big plans for Leeds' famous old ground 🤔
“What Leeds United fans want is to go into the Premier League and to punch upwards and to beat up some really big teams and to have the world’s best players having meltdowns in the mixed zone in the West Stand, that is why Leeds are in the Premier League to me.
“It’s to actually create chaos and to disrupt the order and to leave some bloody noses and to actually enjoy it.”
Mo Salah meltdown joins the pantheon of famous Elland Road breakdowns
Mo Salah is not the first famous figure to speak their mind after a game at Elland Road, with several notable figures doing the same.
Kevin Keegan is the most famous example, as he delivered his famous I will love it rant from the bowels of Leeds’ home ground almost 30 years ago, with his Newcastle collapsing in the title race.
Frank Lampard felt the full force of the Elland Road crowd in the 2018/19 season, as the crowd ruthlessly mocked him in the aftermath of the Spygate scandal.
As the forces of modernity threaten to sweep the hostility out of English football, Elland Road remains a final bulwark in the Premier League. Liverpool found that out to their cost, as Salah wrote another chapter in the history of the famous old ground in the mixed zone after the game.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
