Benitez exonerated. Liverpool and Leeds ok

City calls, Liverpool responds. Yesterday Guardiola’s team had beaten Chelsea (1-0) and stretched to the top of the table; today that of Klopp drops the trio at Brentford (3-0) and goes to second place, overcoming the Blues of Tuchel. Home win never questioned for Liverpool: 13 shots on goal at 0, 69% of ball possession, 694 passes and 9 corners. The Reds move to -11 from the leaders and are credited as Manchester City’s main rival for the title race. In the other match of the afternoon comes the success of Harrison’s Leeds (hat-trick), which holds back the ambitions of West Ham (2-3). While Everton has formalized Benitez’s exemption.

TRIO OF REDS

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Klopp makes only two changes compared to the team that drew (0-0) against Arsenal on Thursday (first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals): Milner and Minamino give way to Jones and Oxlade-Chamberlain (deployed in the attacking trident with Jota and Firmino; while the stars Salah and Mané are in the Africa Cup). Frank confirms the starting eleven defeated, in the last round of the championship, by Southampton (4-1): the only change in Brentford is Henry for Canos. Reds lined up with a 4-3-3; guests with 3-5-2. After a study phase, Liverpool try to put the arrow: Alexander-Arnold’s attempt of a little high (14 ‘). Van Dijk also tries but Fernandez thwarts the threat (23 ‘). In the final, Klopp’s team legitimized the dominance: Alexander-Arnold’s corner, Fabinho’s header and the ball in the net (44 ‘). Brentford responds with Mbeumo (59 ‘), who kicks out. The best chances are created by Liverpool. First, in the 63rd minute, with Jota’s pole; then, in the 69th minute, with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s winning shot (from Robertson’s cross). At 74 ‘Minamino enters the field, who takes advantage of Firmino’s invitation and immediately drops the trio (77’). Gordon touches the fourth goal in the 88th minute, while Toney tries in vain for the flag goal in recovery (92 ‘). Liverpool (which had not won in the league since December 16) took advantage of the opportunity and redeems the result of the first leg (3-3), reaching 45 points in the standings. City have 56, Chelsea, third, 43. Brentford are fourteenth at 23, +10 on the red zone.

BIELSA OK

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Five goals and a lot of emotions between West Ham and Leeds. Guests ahead with Harrison (10 ‘). Bielsa loses to injury Forshaw (author of the assist) and Firpo, replaced by rookies Bate (22 ‘) and Hjelde (23’). And in the 34th minute he suffered the tie of the hosts, by Bowen (third consecutive goal of the season). Harrison gets his team back before the break (37 ‘), but Fornals, served by Antonio, makes it 2-2 in the 52nd minute. Bielsa’s Leeds again relies on inspired Harrison, who in the 60th minute takes advantage of Raphinha’s suggestion and drops the trio (it’s his fourth goal of the season, after last round at Burnley). At 75 ‘the Var cancels the 2-4 in Klich (for offside); while at 82, again for offside, Yarmolenko’s equalizer is removed. The last thrill is Bowen’s high header (92 ‘). Leeds fifteenth with 22 points. West Ham who remains fourth (37, + 2 over Arsenal) and wastes the chance to extend in the standings.

HELLO RAFA

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Rafa Benitez is no longer the Everton manager: yesterday’s defeat (2-1 in Norwich) cost the Spanish coach the bench, whose experience at the Toffees lasted only 200 days. The exemption was announced this afternoon. For Benitez a balance of 7 victories in 22 races. Leave Everton in fifth from bottom in the standings (19 points), +6 on the pink zone. According to the English press, Rooney, the current manager of Derby County, is the main suspect to replace the former coach of Inter and Napoli.