Mark Viduka found the net four times against Liverpool on this day 25 years ago but the Australian striker proved his biggest critic in the years that followed, explaining it was a day when he wasn’t at his best.
The bustling centre-forward has received widespread plaudits from key names in the years since his playing career ended. Former Leeds and Manchester United striker Alan Smith described his skill as “frightening” for a big man. Former Leeds left-back Ian Harte cites Viduka and Harry Kewell as the best two players he ever played alongside.
But Viduka’s toying with Liverpool in the winter sun was surely his peak moment as he led the Reds’ defence a merry dance, dragged Leeds back from 2-0 down and sealed an iconic 4-3 win.
“That was a huge game for me and also at the time for the club because we were up there, third or fourth and Liverpool just in front of us,” Viduka said.
“We are 2-0 down and Jonathan Woodgate gets taken off with injury. Nobody would have thought of that result in the end. It shows you have to stick to it and keep battling.
“When I look at myself I am not really a perfectionist at anything except for on the field. When I look at my performance I want to be holding the ball up well, bringing others into the play and obviously scoring gals. In that game, the other things I did average, but I got four chances and put them away.”
Dominic Matteo featured in the Leeds defence on the day and had a simple message for Viduka when the final whistle confirmed their win – “thanks”.
Matteo said: “People at times, and we’re talking top defenders, didn’t want to get too tight because they knew Viduka could turn them. We saw that in the 4-3 game when he made something out of nothing.
“I actually said ‘thanks’ for getting us out of one. It was only going one way that game apart from Mark. He just turned it himself.
“I am glad he got that. In life you don’t get those moments. The worldwide audience, everyone saw that performance. That was iconic for me.”
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