Head coach Arne Slot failed to alleviate any pressure surrounding his future as Liverpool twice threw away victory and were held to a 3-3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Hugo Ekitike scored twice within three second-half minutes to put the Reds firmly in control before Leeds hit back with two goals in quick succession. And despite Dominik Szoboszlai finding the back of the net with 10 minutes to regain Liverpool’s lead, they conceded their latest goal from a set-piece in stoppage-time - meaning that Slot’s position remains under the microscope.
Leeds vs Liverpool match report
Leeds took the game to Liverpool in the early stages, with Noah Ofabor flashing a shot narrowly wide inside two minutes before he had another effort blocked by Milos Kerkez.
The visitors started to feel their way into the game and on 16 minutes, Curtis Jones’ curled shot from outside the box rattled the crossbar. Then 11 minutes later, Virgil van Dijk found space from a free-kick but headed off target. On 40 minutes, Cody Gakpo couldn’t take advantage of a swift Reds counter-attack as he saw his shot deflected wide.
The game sparked into life in the second period, though, and it took Liverpool less than three minutes to break the deadlock. Leeds defender Joe Rodon played a loose pass, which gifted possession to Ekitike and he calmly finished beyond goalkeeper Lucas Perri. And two minutes later, Liverpool increased their advantage when Conor Bradley won the ball high up the pitch and crossed for Ekitike to prod home.
It looked like Liverpool would ease to victory and should have had a third when Ekitike found Gakpo but he was denied by Perri. Then with 20 minutes remaining, the Reds shot themselves in the foot. Ibrahima Konate made a needless slide tackle on Willy Gnonto inside the Liverpool box and after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up and finished wit aplomb.
That had Elland Road rocking and the Whites harnessed the atmosphere by equalising in the 75th minute. Anton Stach was afforded too much space inside the Reds’ area and fired home from eight yards.
That ramped up the pressure on the already under-fire Slot. But to their credit, Liverpool made the response he was looking for. After Virgil van Dijk had a header thwarted by Perri, the away side regained the advantage. Ryan Gravenberch’s pass was dummied by Alexis Mac Allister to find Szoboszlai, who displayed great composure to finish beyond the onrushing Perri.
But when nine minutes of stoppage-time was signalled, the Leeds crowd were again buoyed. And when they were awarded a corner in the sixth minute of stoppage-time, they must have sniffed Liverpool’s vulnerabilities. A bouncing delivery fell to Ao Tanaka at the back post, who dug a shot into the ground and beat Alisson Becker in the Reds’ goal.
It was the eighth time this season that the Premier League champions have dropped points in 15 matches. Liverpool’s problems of individual errors and being unable to defend dead-balls were again stark, with Slot doing little to help the scrutiny that surrounds him in the Anfield hot seat.
Liverpool player ratings vs Leeds
9. Florian Wirtz - 5
Was neat and tidy without really penetrating Leeds' defence in the first half. Similar in the second half before subbed in the 68th minute. Quieter than of late. | Getty Images
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10. Cody Gakpo - 5
Involved quite a bit in the first half but frustrated with his decision-making. Had to score in the second half to make it 3-0 and subbed in the 83rd minute. | Getty Images
11. Hugo Ekitike - 8
Saw a fair bit of the ball but could muster only a couple of blocked chances and committed too many fouls in the first half. But was deadly in the second half as he took both chances and should have had an assist when he found Gakpo. Subbed in the 83rd minute. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
12. Sub 1 - Alexis Mac Allister -
Liverpool FC via Getty Images