LEEDS UNITED 3-3 LIVERPOOL: Goals from Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai weren’t enough for the Premier League champions, who threw away a victory at Elland Road
Leeds United produced two separate comebacks to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw with faltering Liverpool at Elland Road. Hugo Ekitike had given the Premier League champions a two-goal advantage within the first five minutes of the second half before the hosts came back to level the scores.
A goal from Dominik Szoboszlai with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining looked to have won the game, but Ao Tanaka had other ideas. The Leeds substitute grabbed a 96th-minute equaliser, boosting their survival chances while increasing Liverpool’s woes.
The major team news was that Arne Slot chose to bench Mo Salah for third game running. This time, Salah was joined by Alexander Isak, as Liverpool’s £125million man was dropped in favour of Ekitike.
It proved an inspired change, with the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt striker coming up trumps with two goals. Liverpool had chances to kill the game but when Ibrahima Konate took down Wilfried Gnonto, the script was flipped.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit from the penalty spot and two minutes later, Anton Stach finished off a flowing Leeds move and made it 2-2, their own quick-fire double. The game went Liverpool’s way again through Szoboszlai but Daniel Farke’s men had other ideas and managed to snatch a precious point.
Here are six talking points from Elland Road.
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There was of goalmouth action in the opening 45 but neither goalkeeper had much work to do. There were a total of 13 attempts on between the sides but not a single one of them was on target.
After Curtis Jones rattled the crossbar with a long-range curler, Liverpool had the best chance through Virgil van Dijk, but he headed over from Dominik Szoboszlai’s inviting free-kick. As expected, it was the Reds who dominated possession and had the lion’s share of opportunities, but their radars were well off.
2. Liverpool’s worrying trend continues
Liverpool fans are used to watching their side go into the half-time break without scoring. This season, after just 15 Premier League games, only Nottingham Forest (11) have failed to score in the first half more times than Liverpool (10).
Starting well is evidently a glaring problem for Slot’s side, but it’s all about how you finish.
3. Ekitike’s early Christmas present
The couldn’t manage a goal in the first half but it took Liverpool just three minutes to break the deadlock in the second. Joe Rodon’s loose pass across his own back line gifted Hugo Ekitike a one-on-one chance.
Having gone eight league games without scoring, the French striker make no mistake, slotting the ball past Lucas Perri. And like London buses, two goals came at once.
After Leeds failed to clear their lines, Conor Bradley whipped in a cross and despite Perri getting a hand on the ball, Ekitike bundled the ball home. A VAR check for offside ensued but the goal stood and in the blink of an eye, Leeds were 2-0 down.
4. Konate plunges Liverpool into trouble
Just as Liverpool looked to be seeing the game out, Ibrahima Konate flew in with a sliding tackle and handed Leeds a route back into the game. Anthony Taylor didn’t give a penalty at first but VAR sent him over to the monitor.
The referee didn’t need long and explained that Konate’s tackle was ‘careless’ before pointing to the spot. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up, powering his effort past Alisson Becker, who’d guessed right. Game on.
And just as Liverpool scored two quick-fire goals, so did Leeds. Anton Stach made the Reds pay for some slack defending and suddenly, it was 2-2.
5. Super Szob
Criticised for his lack of output when playing further up the pitch, Szoboszlai looked to have scored one of Liverpool’s most important goals of the season. The Hungarian midfielder produced a composed finish but his celebration was impassioned.
You could see exactly what it meant – but the drama wasn’t over.
Will Leeds stay up this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
6. Tanaka snatches a point
After going agonisingly close to earning a draw with Manchester City before beating Chelsea 3-1 at home, Leeds had reasons to be confident. In their 3-2 loss against City, they conceded agonisingly late – and this Saturday it was their turn.
After Liverpool failed to clear a corner, Ao Tanaka slammed home an equaliser and grabbed a valuable point. The away side were crestfallen, throwing away three points, despite dominating large portions of another painful game.
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