Liverpool and Leeds United played one of the best matches this weekend on Saturday night. In front of the Elland Road crowd, the home side delivered another spectacular performance following their midweek win over Chelsea.
There was massive believe among the fanbase that Farke’s mean could repeat the result against the Reds. The second half showing against Manchester City and the Chelsea win meant they came into the game full of confidence.
Things seemed to go wrong when Huge Ekitike scored a brace in two minutes in the second half. But late in the game, Leeds responded with two quick fire goals of their own, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin converting from the spot and Anton Stach levelling the scores. Liverpool thought they had won it when Dominik Szoboszlai struck in the 80th minute, but Ao Tanaka grabbed an equalizer in stoppage time.
| Statistic | Leeds United | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 3 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.51 | 1.81 |
| Big Chances | 2 | 4 |
| Possession (%) | 45% | 55% |
Liverpool boss Arne Slot reacts to Leeds United result
Reds boss Arne Slot was furious that his side threw away a 2-0 lead late in the game. He believed the players should have seen off the game especially as the scoreline had ‘silenced’ the Elland Road crowd:
“If you are 2-0 up and you control the game completely and their fans were quiet, not completely but we had the game where we anted to be.
“But then we concede a goal, and then the fans are always going to take that opportunity to get involved in the match.
“Then we scored a great goal, and then you see what happened and they make it 3-3.
“We were 2-0 up, we were 3-2 up and we didn’t need a goal. That is why I did not make more attacking subs.
“In this game we bring on different players, like Endo, who I often bring on to see out games. We have to accept the situation we are in.
“What we have seen today, and what we have shown this season, is that it does not matter how much we control the game, there is not much the opposition need to do to score against us.
“Only two games where they created more chances than us. Football is not about that though, it is about taking your chances.
“There were a lot of positives but it gets harder to focus on them if you are not winning games.”
Elland Road delivers once again
It has been said since the start of the season, but Leeds’ home form might be what drags them to safety this season. The Whites have been less than impressive on the road, but they become a completely different team in front of their home fans.
Daniel Farke and the players must build on this result going into the next few games. Lucky for them, their schedule after facing Chelsea and Liverpool is less difficult than it was a few weeks ago.
