---
title: "Leeds: Graham Smyth praises Diego Llorente"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-graham-smyth-praises-diego-llorente/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-04-20T18:40:47Z"
modified: "2021-04-20T18:40:47Z"
---

# Leeds: Graham Smyth praises Diego Llorente

**Journalist Graham Smyth has lauded Diego Llorente following his performance in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday night.**

The Whites [held Jurgen Klopp’s team to a draw](https://www.skysports.com/football/leeds-united-vs-liverpool/429151) at Elland Road, fully deserving of at least a point from the game and impressing against another top Premier League outfit. Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes and led through Sadio Mane’s goal, but Leeds were comfortably superior after the break.

It was Llorente’s late header which sealed a draw for Marcelo Bielsa’s team, as the centre-back’s improved form continues this season.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″\]

### Smyth hails Llorente’s impact against Liverpool

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GrahamSmyth/status/1384421014348705794?s=20) on Tuesday morning, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth was full of praise for the Spaniard, who completed [91 passes](https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3411663/lineup/player-match-card/420568/leeds-united-vs-liverpool?date=20210419) on the night:

> “Diego Llorente was good last night. He’s fun to watch. A risk taker. The goal obviously meant a lot too.”

### Transfer Tavern take

Llorente has been in superb form in recent weeks – Noel Whelan has [described](https://www.footballinsider247.com/whelan-marvels-at-incredible-llorente-as-bielsas-plan-for-leeds-rejig-next-season-revealed/) him as ‘incredible’ – going to show how important it is to enjoy an injury-free run in the side, with last night being his [eighth successive start](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diego-llorente/leistungsdaten/spieler/246291).

Some were quick to [criticise](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/diego-llorente-leeds-united-risks-18987722) the 27-year-old’s earlier performances for Leeds, but he was adjusting to life in a new country and was plagued by [fitness issues](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diego-llorente/verletzungen/spieler/246291). He is now the Whites’ fifth-best performer this term according to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds), despite starting just nine league games.

Llorente now looks fully settled at Elland Road and is arguably the first centre-back on Bielsa’s team-sheet moving forward.

***In other news, Leeds are believed to be interested in signing an England international – find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-eyeing-up-move-for-ainsley-maitland-niles/).***