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Elliott Jackson

Marcelo Bielsa's relentlessness sees Leeds United top a league table even Liverpool cannot match

Leeds United's performances against Liverpool and Manchester City have sent an early warning out to the Premier League.

The Whites almost gave last season's runaway leaders a bloody nose on the opening day of the campaign.

Victories against Fulham and Sheffield United followed before Pep Guardiola's side were given an uncomfortable 90 minutes at Elland Road, drawing plaudits from across the country.

After initially struggling to control City in the opening half an hour, Leeds imposed themselves on Guardiola's men, which must have secretly delighted Marcelo Bielsa.

The Argentine's high pressure, relentless footballing philosophy is engrained on the team and the statistics back that up.

After four Premier League games, they have already made more than 100 tackles, well above any other team in the league.

Leeds have also won more tackles, an average of 18 per game, whilst also pressing their opponents more than anyone else at an average of 184 per 90 minutes.

As a result, it's little surprise the Whites have the highest ball recovery numbers in the top-flight, reclaiming possession on 252 times, with Liverpool second at 246.

Leeds' fearless display on Saturday saw them make a chart-topping 32 tackles, of which 21 of them were won, disrupting City's passing game and earning them a deserved point.

It was a similar story at Anfield when the Whites made a season-high 32 tackles, causing Liverpool all sorts of issues.

For anyone who watched Leeds under Bielsa in the Championship, these numbers will come as little surprise.

There was more chance of fans in stadiums by September than the Argentine adapting his style in fear of the Premier League's extra quality.

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