Football: Leeds continue on their disastrous way

Liverpool. . . .2

Leeds United. . 0

IS THERE no cure for Leeds' chronic travel sickness? Despite a promising performance yesterday, which was lacking only defensive mettle, Leeds are still without a win at Anfield in 21 years or a success away from Elland Road in 24 League games.

Their hopes ruined by Ian Rush's 200th league goal for Liverpool and by Jan Molby's debatable penalty, the strong vocal contingent of Leeds supporters aired their doubts over the club's present predicament.

The dissent, which included a flurry of boos directed at Howard Wilkinson, was brief and by the end the visitors were 'marching on together', but the warning was there to be acknowledged.

'I'll get a lot of letters this week,' the Leeds manager said. 'But you expect that if you are losing. Peter Reid would have liked to have been sitting where I was on the bench today.'

Wilkinson's problem is clear: an inexperienced back-line lacks a leader, a 'Razor' Ruddock-style figurehead to thwart attacks and lift his colleagues' spirits. 'We did most things reasonably to very well and one thing abysmally: that was when the ball went within eight yards of our cage, we conceded two goals.'

The execution of both goals - the first bizarre, the second contentious - was unfortunate for Leeds, who had matched Liverpool in enterprising approach work until the 24th minute.

Gary McAllister and Gary Speed had already prompted smart saves from Bruce Grobbelaar, but it was a familiar figure at the other end who was really setting his sights. Rush's first shot on the goal, a close-range volley, was adroitly tipped over by John Lukic but it was merely a taste of the torment to come.

Just before the half-hour mark, Rush reached his landmark with what Graeme Souness called 'not one of his best strikes'. The buildup, however was delightful - Liverpool at their fluid best. Ronnie Whelan, again pulling the right strings in midfield, swept a 40- yard ball down the inside-right channel. Rob Jones, always the very model of an England full- back, galloped forward to maintain the attacking momentum.

He intelligently switched the focus inside to Don Hutchison, an able deputy for the injured Steve Nicol. Hutchison's flick fell well for Rush but the rest was a blur. Even for the player himself.

'It span back and hit me on the nose,' the Welshman joked. 'It just came to me and I put the ball into the net.' An accurate summary of the great man's career.

Souness concurred. 'Rushie is the best goal-getter I've ever seen in my career as player and manager,' he said.

If the away supporters greeted Liverpool's breakthrough with disbelief the hosts' second just before half-time was met with a volley of abuse, directed mainly at the Darlington referee, Robert Hart.

Molby's long, raking cross-field pass unleashed Jones. His journey, however, took him across the box towards the corner flag and not towards Lukic's goal. Lukic sprinted out to try to head off Jones' determined dash, but in attempting to clear he made contact with the flying full-back who was sent sprawling.

Wilkinson, as befits the head of the managers' union would not be drawn on the decision by Souness, who had no doubt about it: 'I asked one of the TV people who said it was inside the box and that Jones got there first.'

Molby added insult to this perceived iniquity by stroking the spot-kick low to Lukic's left.

Gordon Strachan was so angered by Hart's action that it needed the calming intervention of Lukic to prevent the incensed Scot from protesting over-vigorously to the officials at half-time.

Leeds had the majority of possession after the break and could have clawed one goal back. Deane was hauled down on the edge of Liverpool's 'D' in the 65th minute but McAllister's firm free- kick whistled into the wall. 'We're not having the best of luck,' Wilkinson said, 'If I call heads at the moment it drops tails. .'

Wilkinson was momentarily regaled with boos when he withdrew Rod Wallace but ultimately, the Yorkshire club's fans realised it was better to get behind the team. They had one chanted consolation. 'What's it like to be outsung?' was aimed at the happy home fans, but the taunt came through gritted teeth.

Liverpool (4-4-2): B Grobbelaar; R Jones, M Wright, N Ruddock, D Burrows; D Hutchison (M Marsh, 64 min), R Whelan, J Molby, S McManaman; N Clough, I Rush. Subs not used: M Walters, M Hooper (gk). Manager: G Souness.

Leeds United (4-4-2): J Lukic; G Kelly, J Newsome, C Fairclough, T Dorigo; D Batty, G Strachan, G McAllister, G Speed; B Deane, Rod Wallace (N Whelan, 71 min). Subs not used: M Beeney (gk), M Tinkler. Manager: H Wilkinson.

Referee: R Hart (Darlington).

Goals: Rush (1-0, 24 min); Molby pen (2-0, 39 min).