Liverpool’s persistent inability to protect commanding leads continued to haunt them on Saturday evening as they surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 with Leeds United at Elland Road. The result marked another chapter in what has become an alarming pattern for Arne Slot‘s side this season, as they once again failed to convert a dominant performance into three points.
A Fresh Lineup with Familiar Faces
Slot made four changes to his starting eleven for the trip to West Yorkshire, most significantly welcoming back Conor Bradley from injury. The Northern Irish right-back had been sidelined for four matches since the international break, and his return provided a timely boost to Liverpool’s defensive options. Alongside Bradley, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones, and Hugo Ekitike were restored to the starting lineup, suggesting Slot had rotated his squad with one eye on the demanding fixture schedule ahead.
The selection of Ekitike in particular would prove inspired, at least for the opening exchanges of the second half. The French forward was handed an opportunity to stake his claim for regular starting duties, and he would repay his manager’s faith with a quickfire double that appeared to have settled the contest in Liverpool’s favor.
An Energetic but Goalless Opening Period
The match began at a frenetic pace, with Leeds immediately signaling their intent to pressure Liverpool’s defense. Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson both tested their luck from distance in the opening exchanges, though neither could find the accuracy required to trouble Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal. Their efforts flew harmlessly wide, setting the tone for what would become a pattern throughout the first half.
Liverpool responded through Kerkez, whose long-range attempt suffered the same fate as Leeds’ earlier efforts. The early stages suggested this would be a match characterized by endeavor and energy rather than precision and clinical finishing, a prediction that would ultimately prove accurate.
The fifteenth minute brought Liverpool’s most promising moment of the opening period. Curtis Jones unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area that crashed against the crossbar with goalkeeper Lucas Perri beaten. The midfielder had created the opportunity intelligently, cutting onto his right foot to open up the shooting angle. It was a moment that epitomized Liverpool’s growing control of the match without providing the breakthrough their dominance merited.
Ekitike also came close shortly afterward, his driven shot deflecting over the bar as Liverpool began to assert their authority on proceedings. The visitors dominated possession and carved out the better openings, yet the breakthrough remained elusive as Leeds defended resolutely and organized.
Set-Piece Opportunities Go Begging
Dominik Szoboszlai attempted to unlock Leeds’ defense from a free-kick midway through the half, trying to dip his effort over the wall and into the net. His technique was sound, but the execution fell just short as the ball cleared the crossbar by inches. It represented another near-miss in a half that would be defined by Liverpool’s inability to convert pressure into goals.
The Hungarian midfielder turned provider moments later, delivering an inviting cross from another dead-ball situation. Captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest to meet the delivery, but his header drifted marginally off target. For a team that has struggled so significantly with set-pieces this season, both defensively and offensively, this was another missed opportunity to capitalize on a strong delivery.
As the interval approached, both teams created half-chances. Pascal Struijk prodded wide following a Leeds corner, offering a reminder of the defensive vulnerabilities that would later prove costly for Liverpool. At the other end, Cody Gakpo broke quickly on the counter-attack, only to see his shot deflected away as the half ended goalless despite Liverpool’s territorial dominance.
Ekitike’s Double Strikes
The second half began with the breakthrough Liverpool had been seeking, and it arrived through individual errors rather than tactical superiority. Joe Rodon‘s loose pass in the Leeds defense presented Ekitike with an unexpected gift. The French forward required no second invitation, advancing purposefully before slotting his finish low into the bottom corner. It was clinical execution following a defensive lapse, the type of goal that efficient teams score to punish opponents’ mistakes.
Just over two minutes later, Ekitike doubled both his personal tally and Liverpool’s advantage in circumstances that initially appeared controversial. The forward went down under a sliding challenge inside the penalty area, and while referee Anthony Taylor waved away his penalty appeals, Liverpool’s response demonstrated their growing confidence. Rather than dwelling on the denied penalty claim, they recycled possession quickly and effectively.
Bradley delivered a dipping cross from the right flank that caught Leeds’ defense disorganized. Ekitike attacked the delivery with determination, getting his touch on the ball ahead of the diving Perri to guide it home. At 2-0, with barely fifty minutes played, Liverpool appeared to have complete control of the contest. Their dominance had finally been translated into a commanding scoreline that reflected their superiority.
Gakpo nearly extended the advantage further shortly after the hour mark, his curling shot during a fast break requiring alert goalkeeping from Perri to prevent a third Liverpool goal. The Dutch forward’s effort suggested Liverpool were still creating dangerous opportunities and could put the match beyond Leeds’ reach if they maintained their intensity and quality.
The Inevitable Collapse
However, Leeds demonstrated the resilience and never-say-die attitude that has characterized their season. The turning point arrived in the 73rd minute through a VAR intervention that proved decisive. Ibrahima Konate was adjudged to have fouled substitute Willy Gnonto inside the penalty area, with the referee’s initial decision overturned following review. Calvert-Lewin stepped up to convert from the spot, offering Leeds a lifeline when the match had appeared beyond salvation.
The psychological impact of that goal was immediate and devastating. Within two minutes, Leeds had completed an improbable comeback to level the scores. Anton Stach found space on the left side of Liverpool’s penalty area, working the ball onto his favored foot before drilling a powerful effort past Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who had been largely unemployed throughout the match, was helpless to prevent Stach’s finish as Leeds completed their remarkable turnaround.
A Fleeting Return to the Lead
The match opened up considerably as both teams sensed vulnerability in their opponent. Liverpool pressed for a winner with increasing urgency, creating opportunities through their attacking quality. Perri produced a strong save to his right to deny Van Dijk’s header from a set-piece, demonstrating the fine margins that were determining this contest’s outcome.
With ten minutes remaining, Liverpool appeared to have secured the victory their overall performance merited. A passage of intricate build-up play showcased the quality within Slot’s squad. Ryan Gravenberch’s incisive pass found Alexis Mac Allister, whose intelligent dummy created space for Szoboszlai. The midfielder had advanced deep into Leeds’ final third, reading the play perfectly. His finish was composed and clinical, sliding the ball into the far corner to restore Liverpool’s advantage at 3-2.
For the thousands of traveling supporters, this goal must have brought both relief and hope that their team could finally see out a victory from a winning position. Those hopes would prove short-lived as Leeds demonstrated their own character and quality in the match’s dying moments.
Tanaka’s Crushing Blow
Nine minutes of added time provided Leeds with an extended opportunity to salvage something from a match they had been outplayed in for long periods. That opportunity was seized in the sixth minute of stoppage time when substitute Ao Tanaka delivered the crushing blow Liverpool’s season has become defined by. A corner delivery found the Japanese midfielder unmarked at the back post, and his finish was decisive, sending Elland Road into raptures and leaving Liverpool’s players devastated.
The final whistle confirmed another two points dropped from a winning position, another dominant performance unrewarded, another example of Liverpool’s inability to protect leads against determined opposition. For Slot and his players, the long journey back to Merseyside would be accompanied by familiar questions about mentality, defensive organization, and the capacity to close out matches when victory appears assured.
This draw represented more than just two dropped points. It epitomized Liverpool’s season-long struggle to convert superiority into results, their defensive vulnerability at crucial moments, and their apparent inability to manage games effectively when holding leads. Until these issues are resolved, Liverpool’s ambitions for the season will continue to be undermined by their own failings rather than opponents’ superiority.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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