Image source: Liverpool fc
Reds ’s trip to Elland Road turned into one of the most dramatic matches of the Premier League weekend. A fast start, a two goal cushion, a Leeds comeback, another Liverpool lead, and finally a stoppage time equaliser gave fans a six goal contest that felt like it never slowed down. Both sides created chances throughout the ninety minutes and neither seemed willing to settle for anything less than a win, which made the draw feel deserved on both ends.Premier League
Team News Before Kickoff
Arne Slot made four changes ahead of Liverpool’s visit to West Yorkshire. Conor Bradley returned from injury, while Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones and Hugo Ekitike were also brought into the starting eleven. The Reds lined up with Alisson in goal, Van Dijk and Konate at the heart of defense, Kerkez at left back and Bradley on the right. Jones, Szoboszlai and Wirtz took the midfield roles. Gakpo, Ekitike and Gravenberch formed the attacking trio.
Liverpool’s bench included Mamardashvili, Salah, Chiesa, Robertson and Ngumoha among others, giving Slot strong options if the game demanded it.
Early Pressure From Both Sides
The match opened with good energy from Leeds. Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson each found space for early efforts, but both attempts drifted wide. Liverpool responded through Kerkez, who let fly from distance only to see his strike miss the target as well.
After the fifteen minute mark Liverpool settled in and began to dictate the tempo. Curtis Jones came closest to breaking the deadlock when he cut inside from the edge of the area and smashed a powerful shot off the crossbar. Moments later, Ekitike’s driven strike deflected over the top as the Reds built long stretches of possession.
Dominik Szoboszlai then forced Leeds to stay alert. He tried to bend a free kick over the wall and into the top corner but lifted it just over. From a second dead ball he delivered a dangerous cross that found the head of Virgil van Dijk, who glanced the opportunity wide.
Despite Liverpool’s growing influence, Leeds still carried moments of threat. Pascal Struijk poked wide from a corner late in the half, and Cody Gakpo had an effort blocked at the opposite end after a quick break. The game reached half time with chances for both teams but no goals.
Ekitike Strikes Twice to Give Liverpool Control
Liverpool came out after the break with real intent. Only minutes into the second half they carved open Leeds twice in quick succession through Hugo Ekitike, who delivered his most decisive spell in a Liverpool shirt so far.
For his first, he capitalised on a loose pass from Joe Rodon, stepped into space, and fired low past Lucas Perri into the corner. Leeds had barely recovered when Ekitike struck again. After a penalty shout was waved away, Liverpool recycled the ball and Bradley whipped in a dipping cross that the forward met with a clean volley that beat the keeper. At 2-0, Liverpool looked in complete control.
Cody Gakpo nearly added a third with a curling shot on the break, but Perri reacted sharply to keep Leeds within reach.
Leeds Fight Back in Two Minutes
The hosts refused to let the game drift away from them. Their comeback began in the seventy third minute after VAR intervened on a challenge inside the box. Ibrahima Konate was ruled to have brought down substitute Willy Gnonto. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to cut Liverpool’s lead in half.
Barely two minutes later Elland Road erupted again. Anton Stach worked himself into a good pocket of space on the left before drilling a low shot inside the area that beat Alisson. In a blink the scoreline went from 2-0 to 2-2, and the match opened up completely.
Liverpool Regain the Lead Through Szoboszlai
With both teams pushing hard for a winner, the closing stages became wide open. Van Dijk had a strong header pushed aside by Perri as Liverpool tried to regain momentum. Leeds also made forward runs and forced the Liverpool back line into several key defensive moments.
The Reds finally broke through again in the eightieth minute. Ryan Gravenberch threaded a clever pass into a channel that allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to surge into the final third. The midfielder steadied himself and guided the ball into the far corner with a composed finish. At 3-2 Liverpool seemed to have restored control at just the right time.
Late Drama as Tanaka Levels for Leeds
The match still had one final twist. Deep into added time Leeds won a corner that caused real panic in the Liverpool box. The ball broke kindly for substitute Ao Tanaka and he reacted fastest, striking through the crowd and into the net. The equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time sent Elland Road into celebration and sealed the 3-3 draw.
Final Thoughts
This was a match full of swings in momentum. Liverpool showed sharp attacking play, particularly through Ekitike and Szoboszlai, but struggled to see out the game once Leeds increased their pressure. Leeds displayed resilience, energy and belief, making their late equaliser feel earned.
For Liverpool it will feel like two points dropped after leading twice with a cushion. For Leeds it will feel like a point won thanks to their refusal to fold. For the neutral it was simply an entertaining Premier League contest with chances, goals and emotion from start to finish.
🔴Find the Latest News on Player Ratings | Transfers | Prematch | Postmatch
Thank you for your continued support, and let’s cheer Liverpool on to success in the upcoming match. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section. For further insights, you may explore the official Liverpool FC website by clicking here.
YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com