Published: October 2, 2021 4:56 pm
Last Updated: October 3, 2021 10:26 am
The Leeds United faithful have taken to social media in their droves this afternoon, to single one particular member of the club’s squad out for special praise.
Llorente on target
Marcelo Bielsa’s men returned to action a short time ago.
The under-manned Whites welcomed Watford to Elland Road, eyeing a much-needed first 3-point haul of the Premier League campaign.
And, when all was said and done in West Yorkshire, kick-start the club’s season is precisely what Leeds managed.
A solitary goal ultimately proved enough to guide the hosts to a 1-0 victory over Watford, easing them out of the English top-flight’s relegation zone in the process.
Diego Llorente acted as the hero on the day, reacting fastest to slot home after a corner from the right resulted in ensuing chaos in the visitors’ area.
💪 Come on #LUFC! pic.twitter.com/0XbsIpLCXx
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 2, 2021
‘Difference maker’
In turn, on the back of their side’s first league win of the campaign, it has since come as little surprise to see the Leeds United faithful in jubilant mood across social media.
The Peacocks’ supporters have lauded the efforts of a whole host of their side’s stars following the full-time whistle at Elland Road, amid the widespread agreement that the first-half display in particular proved the club’s finest of the 2021/22 term thus far.
As outlined above, though, one member of Bielsa’s squad has been more widely singled out for praise than any other.
The player in question? Diego Llorente.
Spanish stopper Llorente marked his return from injury this afternoon, looking a class above the majority of those on the pitch, and even bagging the game’s winner.
And the former Real Sociedad man, as a result, has since been labelled as the ‘difference maker’ by many, with just some of the Twitter highlights showcased below:
Diego Llorente the goal scorer and also the difference maker so far on the pitch #LEEWAT
— The Avant-garde Dog (@kimemiathinks) October 2, 2021
Llorente makes such a difference. Strong in the tackle and quick on the ball
— Neil Sabey (@Amosmav) October 2, 2021
If Llorente stays fit, he’s going to be massive for us this season.
— Michelle🏆💛💙 (@ozzelli01) October 2, 2021
Llorente is currently the best player on the pitch. Just Class
— David McDonald (@Dbmcdonald1977) October 2, 2021
Got to say a fully fit Diego Llorente does make a big difference defensively and setting up attacks
Let’s hope he stays fit for the rest of the season#lufc #LEEWAT— nigel stanley (@nigelLUFC) October 2, 2021
If Diego Llorente wasn’t made of chocolate he’d be up there with the best defenders in the world, so good when fully fit #lufc
— Matty Speakman (@MattySpeakman) October 2, 2021
Dreading all those missed chances could come back to haunt us. How good is Llorente by the way. Our defence looks 10x better with him in it.
— Liam (@BielsaGod_) October 2, 2021
Big big BIG WIN LLORENTE 💪💪
— Tony Fitzgerald (@ScottTonyfitz11) October 2, 2021
The difference with llorente in the team is immense he’s been class.
— LUFCallum (@LUFCallum) October 2, 2021
Dominant team display for the full 90 minutes. The difference Llorente makes is remarkable, as he looks so calm and assured in and out of possession giving confidence to those around him too. He capped an excellent performance with the winner and a vital 3 points. MOT
— Damien Cummins (@Damien_Cms) October 2, 2021
Read more:
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal live streaming: Watch Premier League online
Man United fans express concern as 94th-minute footage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer surfaces following Everton
This article was edited by
Ben Browning.
Leeds betting odds, next game:
Southampton vs Leeds odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
Leeds’s latest videos
The Warm Up Show | Leeds United v Watford | Featuring Luke Ayling, Dom Matteo and Noel Whelan
Rich Williams is joined by Dom Matteo and Noel Whelan to look ahead to…
2021-10-02T08:13:19Z
Indoor session ahead of Watford test | Inside Training
Go behind-the-scenes at Thorp Arch as we prepare for Saturday’s home game against Watford…
2021-10-01T12:00:01Z
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 5 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 4 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 4 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 3 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 3 |
| Lukaku, Romelu | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 3 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Hwang, Hee-chan | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 3 |
| Greenwood, Mason | Manchester United | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 2 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 2 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 4 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 0 | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 0 | 3 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Veltman, Joel | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 3 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Etebo, Oghenekaro | Watford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 3 |
| Djenepo, Moussa | Southampton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 1 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 2 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 2 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 0 | 2 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 2 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 2 |
| Ward Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 1 | 1 |
| Manquillo, Javi | Newcastle United | 0 | 2 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 2 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 3 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 2 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 2 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 2 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Azpilicueta, Cesar | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Gross, Pascal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 2 |
| Pereira, Ricardo | Leicester City | 2 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 2 |
