Liverpool woes deepen with loss to Leeds United

(Update: adds later results)

Sports Desk, Oct 29 (EFE).- A goal in the 89th minute by 20-year-old Crysencio Summerville and a spectacular performance powered Leeds United to victory Saturday against troubled Liverpool, who remain mired in the middle of the Premier League table a third of the way into the season.

The Reds first defeat at Anfield since March 2021 was also their second consecutive loss to a team in the relegation zone and they trail current leaders Manchester City by 13 points.

For Leeds, who last beat Liverpool in April 2001, the outcome means climbing out of the drop zone to 17th by a point over Leicester City.

As they done too many times this season, the Reds went behind early due to a mistake. Defender Joe Gomez sent a lazy pass in the direction of Alisson and the keeper slipped, opening the door for Leeds striker Rodrigo Moreno to nudge the ball into the unguarded net.

Liverpool responded and Roberto Firmino put Meslier to the test in the 13th minute, seconds before Mohamed Salah equalized.

Only the cross-bar prevented Brendon Aaronson from regaining the lead for the hosts in the 21st and Alisson had to make a trio of saves to keep it 1-1 at the break.

Liverpool were relentless in the second half, but Meslier repelled efforts from Darwin Nuñez (twice), Jordan Henderson, Salah and Firmino before Summerville’s match-winner.

On the South Coast, Chelsea’s nine-match unbeaten streak under new coach Graham Fuller ground to a halt against his former club, Brighton & Hove Albion, who prevailed 4-1.

The Blues’ first loss since Fuller replaced Thomas Tuchel in September was also the Seagulls’ maiden victory under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The home side started aggressively and took the lead in the 5th minute courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s goal. Brighton led 3-0 at the break after a pair of own goals by Chelsea.

Kai Havertz narrowed the deficit for the visitors three minutes into the second half, which saw Edouard Mendy replace the injured Kepa in the Chelsea net.

Chelsea pressed for more, but Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez was rarely troubled and Pascal Gross made it 4-1 for the hosts in stoppage time.

The result, combined with Newcastle United’s rout of Aston Villa, left Chelsea in fifth, while Brighton moved up to the eighth spot.

Callum Wilson had a brace for the Magpies, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time and adding a second goal in the 56th minute.

Goals from Joelinton and Miguel Almiron in the space of eight minutes made it 4-0. Newcastle improved to 24 points, good enough for fourth place.

Tottenham Hotspur are third with 26 points after coming from behind 3-2 against Bournemouth.

An exquisite free kick from Kevin de Bruyne saw Man City take the 3 points away to Leicester and go to top of the Premier League despite the absence of Erling Haaland.

Pep Guardiola’s side will hold the spot until at least Sunday, when second-place Arsenal take on last-place Nottingham Forest.

Without Haaland for the first time this season, City relied on talented midfielder De Bruyne.