Thriller!
by Nick Franklin of "Press Association"
Liverpool kept alive their hopes of a 19th League Championship after an extraordinary nine-goal thriller at Elland Road.
But the defeat for Leeds - their second in four days - does little for the club's chances of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
They began well in their quest for a first victory over the Reds since 1973, yet from the 11th to the 28th minute found themselves conceding four goals and looked as good as dead.
Ray Houghton drew first blood, after good work from John Barnes and Ian Rush, before Jan Molby scored from the spot after John Lukic had pulled down Rush.
Peter Beardsley then combined with Molby to set up David Speedie and John Barnes galloped away from a static defence to hit the fourth.
Liverpool were still 4-0 in front after 68 minutes before Lee Chapman grabbed his 25th goal of the season and, so it seemed, a consolation.
But Leeds were not ready to throw in the towel. Carl Shutt made it 4-2 before Barnes put the champions back in the driving seat with his second goal.
Hat-trick
Chapman then made it 5-3 with a magnificent header from David Batty's cross.
And with just two minutes remaining, Strachan was this time the provider for Chapman to head home his hat-trick.
Liverpool hung on to go within five points clear of leaders Arsenal and Rush, amazingly not on the scoresheet, must still wait to collect his 200th League goal.
If ever there was a game of two halves then this was it!
Copyright - Press Association