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After a lightning-fast start to the game, Salah became the 30th
player to join the Premier League's 100-goal club in the 20th
minute, tapping home from close range from a Trent
Alexander-Arnold cross.
The visitors missed a host of chances to make it 2-0 in the
first half, before Fabinho made one count early in the second
period to put Juergen Klopp's side on course for three points in
West Yorkshire.
There was a worrying sight later in the half as Elliott needed
lengthy treatment on the pitch following a tackle from Leeds'
Pascal Struijk, with the hosts' substitute shown a straight red
card for the challenge by the referee.
Elliott was taken off on a stretcher, receiving applause from
Leeds fans as he was taken down the touchline.
"It is his ankle. I heard it was dislocated and they couldn't
put it back and he is now in hospital," Liverpool manager
Juergen Klopp said.
The 18-year-old posted on his Instagram before the match
finished: "Thank you for the messages guys! Road to recovery.
YNWA (You'll Never Walk Alone)."
Liverpool regained their composure to add a stoppage-time third
through Sadio Mane to put the seal on a victory that moved them
above Manchester City into third in the standings, while Leeds
sit 17th without a win from four league matches this season.
"We were not in charge very often in the game," Leeds coach
Marcelo Bielsa told Sky Sports. "They were superior to us in all
aspects."
'SERIOUS FOUL PLAY'
Liverpool's away form has been impressive – they had won seven
and drawn once in their last eight league games on the road
before the trip to Elland Road, and showed no fear in going
toe-to-toe with Leeds' high-octane style in a raucous atmosphere
on Sunday.
The goal that broke the deadlock came via a familiar source, as
Salah was alert to Alexander-Arnold's pullback to become the
fifth fastest player in Premier League history to reach a
century of goals, reaching the milestone from 162 appearances
for Liverpool and Chelsea combined.
Liverpool were in the ascendancy after their opener, and should
have quickly made it two, but Mane could only balloon his effort
over the top from close range.
The goal that put the game to bed for Liverpool came after
another Alexander-Arnold cross, this time from a corner, with
Brazilian Fabinho firing home the loose ball.
Elliott, who has impressed this season since being promoted to
the first-team fold by Klopp, was then left in serious pain
having been caught by Struijk’s trailing leg.
Struijk was sent off by referee Craig Pawson and the decision
was confirmed by the VAR before the red card was shown.
When contacted by Reuters for the reason behind the dismissal,
the Premier League said it was for "serious foul play -
intensity and endangering the safety of an opponent."
Mane's frustrating afternoon in front of goal continued as
chance after chance came and went, before he finally put one
away in stoppage-time to put the icing on the cake and make it
10 points from 12 so far this season for Liverpool, as Klopp's
side stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to 14.
(Reporting by Peter HallEditing by Toby Davis)
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