Patrick Bamford claims Leeds have made a statement with Liverpool display

Patrick Bamford claims Leeds have proved they can compete in the Premier League after running Liverpool so close at Anfield.

Leeds were just two minutes away from claiming a point on Saturday evening before losing to a late penalty and they had more possession than Liverpool and scored from their three shots on target.

Bamford knows questions were asked of Marcelo Bielsa’s side on their return to the top flight after their 16-year exile and feels they answered all of them.

“We showed a lot of character to keep coming back when we went behind,” he said.

“We showed that we can compete with the best of the best.

“We’ve kind of shown to ourselves that we need to be 100 per cent on it all the time because any slip-up in the Premier League you get punished.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t come away with anything and I think we’ve learnt a few lessons, but we’ve also shown a few positive signs.”

Bamford, 27, silenced his doubters by scoring on his Premier League debut for Leeds in the 4-3 defeat and he had been questioned because he had netted just once in 27 top-flight appearances with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.

Bielsa has great faith in him as his No 9 and it was his 26th league goal in 65 appearances for Leeds.

Yet the former Chelsea trainee was still critical of his own display and felt he should have found the back of the net before he struck to make it 2-2.

“I should’ve scored before, but it’s always nice for a striker to get off the mark straight away,” he said.

“I should’ve hit the first one instead of taking it round Alisson, so I’m kicking myself for not getting two.”