Leeds United 3-3 Liverpool: Goals from Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai weren’t enough for the Premier League champions, who held on for victory at Elland Road.
Leeds United produced two comebacks to win a dramatic 3-3 draw with struggling Liverpool at Elland Road. Hugo Ekitike gave the Premier League champions a two-goal advantage within the first five minutes of the second half, and the hosts fought back to equalize.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal with just 10 minutes left in regular time seemed to have won the game, but Ao Tanaka had other ideas. Leeds’ substitute scored an equalizer in the 96th minute, increasing their chances of survival but adding to Liverpool’s woes.
The big news for the team was Arne Slott choosing to bench Mo Salah for the third consecutive game. This time Salah was joined by Alexander Isak as Liverpool’s £125m man was left out for Ekitike.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker turned out to be a trump card with two goals, which turned out to be an exciting change. Liverpool had a chance to end the game, but Ibrahima Konate brought down Wilfried Gunont, which turned the scenario upside down.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the gap from the penalty spot and two minutes later Anton Stach halted Leeds’ fluid movement and made it 2-2 with his own quick-fire double. The match once again favored Liverpool against Szoboszlai, but Daniel Farke’s side came up with a different idea and managed to snatch a valuable point.
Here are six talking points from Elland Road.
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There was some goalmouth action in the opening 45 minutes, but neither goalkeeper was able to do much work. A total of 13 shots were taken by both teams, but none were on target.
Liverpool had the best chance through Virgil van Dijk after Curtis Jones rattled the crossbar with a long-range curler, but he invited Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick to head home. As expected, it was the Reds who dominated possession and had the most chances, but they were well off the radar.
2. Liverpool’s worrying trend continues
Liverpool fans are used to seeing their team go into the half-time break without scoring. After just 15 Premier League games this season, only Nottingham Forest (11) have scored less goals in the first half than Liverpool (10).
Getting off to a good start is clearly a problem for the slot side, but it all comes down to how they finish.
3. An early Christmas present from Ekichike
After failing to score a goal in the first half, Liverpool needed just three minutes to break the deadlock in the second half. Joe Rodon gave Hugo Ekitike a one-on-one chance with a loose pass that crossed his own last line.
After eight league games without a goal, the French striker made no mistake and slotted the ball past Lucas Perry. And like the London bus, there were two goals at once.
After Leeds failed to clear their lines, Conor Bradley crossed and Ekitike bundled the ball into the goal despite Perry getting a hand on the ball. Despite a series of VAR checks for offside, the goal was achieved and Leeds were immediately trailing 2-0.
4. Konate puts Liverpool in trouble.
Just when it looked like the game would be over for Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate pounced with a sliding tackle to give Leeds a way back into the game. Anthony Taylor did not initially award a penalty, but it was sent to the monitor by VAR.
It didn’t take long for the referee to explain that Konate’s tackle was “inadvertent” and point to the spot. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up and put his foot down by defeating Alisson Becker, whose prediction was correct. Game begins.
And just as Liverpool scored two quick goals, so did Leeds. Anton Stach made the Reds pay for their defensive laxity and suddenly it was 2-2.
5. Super Zob
Szoboszlai, who was criticized for his lack of output when playing further up the pitch, appeared to have scored one of Liverpool’s most important goals of the season. The Hungarian midfielder had a subdued finish, but his celebrations were wild.
I knew exactly what that meant, but the drama wasn’t over yet.
Can Leeds continue their good form this season? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.
6. Tanaka scores a goal
After a difficult run that saw them come close to a draw with Manchester City, Leeds had reason to be confident after defeating Chelsea 3-1 at home. They conceded a heartbreaking goal late on in the 3-2 loss to City, but it was their turn this Saturday.
After Liverpool failed to clear a corner kick, Aoi Tanaka scored the equalizer and grabbed a valuable point. The away team once again suffered a huge failure, conceding three points despite controlling most of the match.
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