Mark Viduka cemented his place in Leeds United folklore 25 years ago today, when he scored his famous four goals in a dramatic victory over Liverpool.
Liverpool travelled to Elland Road for an unusually early kick-off on the fourth of November 2000, as they met Leeds in a game that kicked off at 11:30 am.
As a result, the ground was bathed in golden autumnal sunshine for the Premier League encounter, as Leeds looked to bounce back from a sluggish start to their league campaign against one of their top four rivals.
Most of the Whites’ success to date in the 2000/01 season had come in the Champions League, including a famous six-goal demolition of Besiktas, which included Viduka’s first goal for the club.
However, Mark Viduka announced his arrival in the Premier League with his brilliant four-goal display against Liverpool, as he embarked upon a prolific goal-scoring season.
Looking back on Mark Viduka’s four goals against Liverpool
With 25 years’ worth of hindsight, it is easy to look back on Leeds’ win over Liverpool as a foregone conclusion.
However, looking back at the Leeds team from that day offers a reminder of the anxiety surrounding David O’Leary’s side at the time. Leeds suffered a horrific run of injuries at the start of the 2000/01 season.
As a result, they came into the game against Liverpool without big names such as England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, club captain Lucas Radebe, David Batty, Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges. Things then went from bad to worse when Jonathan Woodgate limped off to be replaced by Danny Hay.
There was a sense of inevitability when Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes, as the Leeds fans had already watched their side be taken apart by Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, the Leeds fans did not envisage Viduka bursting into life with a brilliant display of finishing, ably assisted by the brilliant and often overlooked Olivier Dacourt.
Viduka’s first was a deft chip, after Alan Smith closed down Christian Ziege. The second was a brilliant header after a typically determined run and cross from Gary Kelly. Viduka’s third is the pick of the bunch, as he latched onto a pass from Dacourt before pirouetting in the penalty area and firing home.
The powerful Australian forward’s fourth came as he reacted quickest to a scuffed Dacourt shot, dinking over Sander Westerveld again to put the icing on the cake of a famous Leeds win. Just six weeks after his first Leeds goal, Viduka suddenly had 10 to his name and the club had a new hero.
Mark Viduka doesn’t believe Liverpool display was his best for Leeds United
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2018, via Leeds Live, Viduka reflected on his heroics at Elland Road as the Whites secured their dramatic comeback win over Liverpool.
According to Viduka, his best game in a Leeds shirt came in a Champions League win over Lazio in Rome, when his brilliant back-heel set up teammate Alan Smith.
“I think my best memory and my best game was in Rome, when I played against Lazio,” Viduka said. “I didn’t score in that game, but I did that back-heel for Smithy.”
Before adding: “What I say as a striker… I am a bit of a football purist. I come across laid-back, and I am in a way. But when it comes to football, it’s the only thing I am a purist about.
“For example, that [Liverpool] game I scored four goals, yes, but I wasn’t really happy with my play in terms of on-field play.
“In a way, I’ve had much better games when I’ve scored, and my on-field play would be a lot better.”
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Paul Robinson disagrees with Mark Viduka’s assessment
However, former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson disagreed with the powerhouse striker’s assessment, as he named the win over Liverpool as his favourite game in 2018.
A young Robinson deputised for the injured Martyn in the game, with the Leeds number one ruled out through injury.
Although Robinson was forced to pick the ball out of the net three times, as Leeds fell behind twice in the game, the former England international told the Premier League website that the game still holds a special place in his heart.
“As goalkeepers, you try to forget the ones that go in,” Robinson said. “Mark Viduka was basically unplayable. He dragged the team up by his boots”
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