Beckford Lauds Leeds Starlets Callum Mills and Jayden Lienou After Stunning Leipzig Display
Former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford was full of praise for the club’s emerging talent following an impressive 2-0 pre-season victory over Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig at Elland Road. While senior stars sealed the victory on the scoresheet, it was young duo Callum Mills and Jayden Lienou who captured the headlines—and Beckford’s glowing admiration.
Introduced in the second half, the academy pair injected fearlessness and tactical maturity down Leeds’ left flank. Operating seamlessly together, Lienou’s defensive composure and crisp distribution from full-back provided the ideal foundation for Mills to drive forward with intent. Their repeated, slick combinations repeatedly unlocked Leipzig’s defensive shape, drawing loud applause from the Elland Road crowd.
Speaking after the final whistle, Beckford expressed his enthusiasm for the youngsters’ extraordinary impact on such a high-profile stage. “When young lads step onto the pitch against top-tier European opposition like Leipzig and play without a shred of hesitation, it speaks volumes,” Beckford noted. “Lienou and Mills were outstanding. Their understanding down that left side was dynamic, confident, and mature beyond their years.”
For Leeds, the performance serves as a testament to the club’s thriving academy pipeline. While pre-season fixtures carry a different tempo than Premier League battles, the poise and link-up play displayed by Mills and Lienou suggest both players are pushing hard for senior opportunities this season.
If their standout shift against Leipzig is any indication, Daniel Farke has two exceptional young prospects ready to make a genuine mark on the first team in the months ahead.
