Leeds United were left humiliated as Liverpool tightened the gap at the top with a 6-0 win on Wednesday.
Goals came from Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Mo Salah, and Sadio Mane, with the AFCON finalists netting a brace each.
Leeds’ staggering run this season has placed coach Marcelo Bielsa under immense pressure but the veteran manager still played on with unchanged tactics despite the heavy loss last week.
Fans were left distressed after the loss at Anfield, with many becoming critical of the management.
With this defeat, Bielsa’s men are just three points above the relegation zone and former Sky Sports host and current Bein Sports presenter Richard Keys laid out a few criticisms for the Argentine coach.
In a Twitter post, Keys questioned whether a British coach would’ve been allowed to remain at Leeds after such a defeat before stating that the club is in “shambles.”
Do we think that if a British coach was in charge of Leeds right now he’d be getting the sack? What makes Bielsa different? Leeds are a shambles.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) February 23, 2022
However, Keys’ assessment wasn’t finished yet. In another tweet at full time, he further emphasized his disapproval regarding Bielsa’s methods by calling them “the definition of madness.”
Bielsa can’t survive this surely? It’s the definition of madness – keep doing the same thing….. That’s not good coaching. 6-0. 🤷♂️🤷♂️.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) February 23, 2022
Quite expectedly, Keys’ views weren’t agreed upon by the majority of Elland Road fans. Users took to the social media platform to defend Bielsa’s management abilities and voiced their admiration for the 66-year-old.
Wow what a bizarre comment! Bielsa is probably the single most influential coach alive, took Leeds up on a shoestring, kept them up, develops players, plays relentlessly entertaining football. There’s few clubs who wouldn’t keep him come what may on those grounds alone.
— SaintOxford 💙 (@SaintOxford) February 23, 2022
Regarding his never-changing tactics, fans argued that Bielsa’s principles and methods are the only reason why Leeds United are still competing in the first division.
Not a difference, he’s loved because of how he is, and what he’s done for the club. After we get mauled today, I’ll still support him, he got us up and into this position, he deserves the chance to turn things round. He’s changed the image of the club for the better.
— Lee Hughes (@Hughesey1985) February 23, 2022
Other fans slammed Keys and emphasized the key players that the club were missing.
They are missing some big players for them to be fair like Bamford and Phillips. Has to be taken into account.
— tadhg dunne (@tadhgd) February 23, 2022
Some mocked the redundancy of nationality in this issue.
Please remind which of the many British coaches we had over 15 years got us promoted?
— Leeds Faithful (@MaynardM) February 23, 2022
If it was a british coach like who steve bruce , roy hodgson . Look if it wasnt for bielsa this team would still be in the championship yes we are struggling but so is everton watford newcastle burnley all english coaches give your head a shake
— dale bennett (@dalebennett1) February 23, 2022
Despite the support, the patience at Elland Road is surely thinning out, as the team is slowly losing its grip in the top-tier league.
👏👏 spot on. We should be moving forward as a club not backwards.I feel for the players getting smashed every week. Out of position. Over trained. Quality kids not getting game time over underachievers. We are where we are for a reason. Bielsa stubbornness with a small squad.
— Hrv1985 (@hrv1985) February 23, 2022
Leeds have not made any new signings this transfer window and are also down with their worst Premier League record after conceding 56 goals in 25 games.
The West Yorkshire team continues to face big challenges as they will host Spurs at Elland Road on Saturday.