Former Leeds United hero Tony Dorigo has pointed out a moment that left Sean Longstaff “absolutely livid” during the damaging defeat against Burnley.
Daniel Farke has plenty to think about after Leeds looked toothless as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Burnley.
There were few winners on a difficult afternoon for Leeds, with Brenden Aaronson becoming a lightning rod for criticism after missing the chance to draw Leeds level in the first half.
Noah Okafor could return for the game against West Ham, which would boost Leeds’ creativity in the final third. However, Farke will be concerned with how easily his side gave away possession to their opponents in a disjointed display.
Midfielder Sean Longstaff was certainly not happy with his side’s lack of control over the ball, and Tony Dorigo spotted him letting his teammates know exactly how he felt.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty ImagesSean Longstaff takes aim at his Leeds United teammates
There was a passage of play shortly before the hour mark, where neither side looked to have Premier League quality as the ball pinballed around the middle of the park with no one able to take control.
This culminated in Jack Harrison dawdling in possession with his back to the Burnley goal, taking one too many touches and allowing Burnley man Jaidon Anthony to nick in and steal possession.
Anthony then drew a foul from Ethan Ampadu to retain the ball for the home side.
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Speaking on the LUTV coverage of the game, Dorigo spotted Longstaff’s furious reaction to this moment, stating: “You see, Longstaff is absolutely livid as well with everyone there. You know, why are you taking two, three, four touches?
“Move it quickly. Don’t give them a chance. Jack there, just one, two, gets caught on the ball too easily.”
Longstaff is becoming a crucial part of Leeds’ midfield, as one of the few players with significant Premier League experience.
Leeds will need all of that nous to bounce back from their damaging defeat at Turf Moor.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty ImagesStats show Sean Longstaff was Leeds’ unsung hero vs Burnley
On a day when Anton Stach struggled in Leeds’ midfield, Longstaff proved his ever-increasing value in their relegation battle.
The stats from FotMob show the full extent of Longstaff’s growing influence, as he pulled the strings in an impressive display in defeat.
Longstaff took 79 touches in the midfield, making 52 successful passes at an accuracy rate of 85%. He also created four chances from three passes into the final third.
Sean Longstaff vs Burnley:
- Touches: 79
- Accurate Passes (Success Rate): 52 (85%)
- Chances Created: 4
- Passes into final third: 3
- Accurate Crosses: (Success Rate): 5 (71%)
- Duels won: 3
- Fouls won: 2
Leeds launched cross after cross into the Burnley box with little success. However, Longstaff made five successful crosses into the box, one fewer than Gabriel Gudmundsson, but at a much higher accuracy rate. The Swede connected with 46% of his crosses, to Longstaff’s 71%.
The all-action midfielder also won three duels and drew two fouls as he helped Leeds dominate possession. He was the outstanding player for Leeds on a difficult afternoon.