If you ever need a neat microcosm of Tyler Roberts’ Leeds United career, eight second-half minutes in the Peacocks’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday night provide all you need to know.
First, the sudden burst of beguiling talent. Collecting a pass from Stuart Dallas in the inside left position with Leeds trailing 1-0 in the 68th minute, Roberts held off Georginio Wijnaldum, span away from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and lined up Wijnaldum once more.
A feint in one direction, a stepover in the other, and Wijnaldum had disappeared. Up next came Fabinho; a neat inside pass for Jack Harrison to score did for the Reds’ No.3. In a matter of seconds, Roberts had taken England, Netherlands and Brazil internationals out of the game. Super League meet Super Leeds. Except Harrison didn’t score, finding Alisson’s outstretched boot rather than the bottom corner.
After the poise came the exasperation. In the 77th minute, substitute Ian Poveda repeated the routine down the right wing, picking out Roberts inside the area with his own clever square ball. Making the same mistake as Harrison, the Wales international shot with plenty of power but not enough accuracy, hitting Alisson in the chest.
Football has been cruel to Roberts recently. Harrison’s miss was compensated by Diego Llorente heading home the winger’s late corner, meaning he at least ended the night with a one in the assist column despite a zero for goals. Roberts, yet again, was left with a zero in both.
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