Liverpool answer all the critics

The questions were all answered. Liverpool arrived at Elland Road with a huge cloud hanging over them but they left with a stunning victory and their confidence sky high. The Reds had performed as a team at last.

Steve McManaman, David James, Karlheinz Riedle - all with doubts about their effectiveness - contributed massively to Liverpool's first Premiership victory of the season.

McManaman, the memory of that abortive £12.5 million move to Barcelona still biting deep into his mind, scored an outstanding goal.

It was his first of the season and only his third league goal since last December.

From James, a goalkeeper who has seen his England claims all but disappear on the back of a string of howlers that won him the nickname "Calamity", there was a display of composure and agility.

He made five great saves, three in the first half and one from Jimmy Hasselbaink near the end that was the best of the match. Then, in the dying minutes he blocked a point-blank David Hopkin drive that had the Leeds captain shaking his head in disbelief.

Riedle, the skilled German front man, had not looked strong enough for the rigours of the English game in his early matches, but he struck the killer goal 16 minutes from time, to send the Liverpool coaches and Roy Evans leaping from the dug-out in delight.

Leeds had their moments, mainly through the high-speed running of Danny Wallace, but they had their hearts broken by James' top-notch display.

Yet again there was a display from Michael Owen that made it hard to believe he's still only 17.

The goal that meant so much to McManaman and put Liverpool in the driving seat came after 23 minutes.

He looked outnumbered way out on the right, but with Robert Molenaar standing off, McManaman curled a delightful shot across Nigel Martyn and into the far corner.

Liverpool maintained their control, if not dominance, in the second half.

Then came Riedle's crucial clincher. Molenaar was clearly pulling him back by the shirt, but the £1.5 million new boy turned 25 yards out to send a beautiful chip over Martyn and just under the far angle.

Leeds United: Martyn, Kelly, Robertson, Haaland, Radebe, Wallace, Hasselbaink, Ribeiro, Hopkin, Halle, Molenaar. Subs Not Used: Wetherall, Bowyer, Lilley, Kewell, Beeney. Booked: Halle.

Liverpool: James, Jones, Kvarme, Wright, McManaman, Harkness, Riedle (Berger 82), Thomas, Ince, Owen, Bjornebye. Subs Not Used: McAteer, Babb, Murphy, Warner. Booked: Thomas, Ince, Bjornebye, Kvarme. Goals: McManaman 23, Riedle 75.

Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).