Javi Gracia has questioned the decision that sent Leeds United tumbling towards their heaviest-ever home league defeat to Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota notched twice with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez also finding the mark as the Reds romped to a 6-1 triumph at Elland Road on Monday night.
There was a touch of controversy surrounding Liverpool’s opening goal, with the ball having struck Trent Alexander-Arnold on the arm as he attempted to block a pass from Leeds defender Junior Firpo during the build-up.
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And Gracia struggled to hide his disdain for the decision, with the officials ruling it as being accidental handball with VAR unable to intervene.
“I asked the assistant and he told me they checked for offside, nothing else,” said the Leeds boss. “That was the explanation I had on the pitch. That it was a goal and wasn’t handball.
“After conceding six goals, I don’t want to say anything about that goal. But you and me know what happened.”
Leeds had been thumped 5-1 at home by Crystal Palace last weekend and are now deep in relegation mire, standing just two points above the drop zone.
“Before the game all of us knew that it would be demanding for us to play against a very good team,” said Gracia. “If we didn’t give our best level for sure it would be very, very difficult for us.
“We started competing in the game and we had some opportunities with Rodrigo, some options to attack the opposite box. But after that, when we conceded the goal something happened as in the last games when we were losing the composure and we were conceding goals.”
Gracia added: “There was moment in the second half when in the beginning we scored a goal and maybe we felt that it’s possible to compete again in the game but another mistake gave them the chance to score the third goal and after that it was very, very difficult to manage.
“Liverpool did very well but we need to focus on ourselves and our next games. The supporters need to see us play like we have done in the previous games and try to improve our level. What we’re seeing is not enough, we have to improve for the seven finals we have to play.”
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