Liverpool suffered another damaging result as they twice gave away a lead to draw 3-3 away at Leeds United in a Premier League thriller. The Reds headed to Elland Road in desperate need of victory after drawing to Sunderland at Anfield in midweek. While Arne Slot’s side made it three games unbeaten, they threw away 2-0 and 3-2 leads in another disappointing setback.
Hugo Ekitike scored twice in two minutes early into the second half as the Premier League champions took control. But Leeds scored two quickfire goals of their own through Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the penalty spot and Anton Stach. Dominik Szoboszlai finished off a lovely move to put the away team on the cusp of a much-needed win – only for Ao Tanaka to earn Leeds a point in the 96th minute from a corner. Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players…
Liverpool player ratings vs Leeds
Alisson – 6
A quiet first 45 but second half saved well at close range from Jayden Bogle who turned out to be offside. Is free from blame for the Leeds goals but his kicking is far too poor for a goalkeeper of his ability.
Conor Bradley – 7
Improved Liverpool’s attack by being more direct than Joe Gomez and one important first-half contribution to shut down a Leeds attack. Booked for a daft foul and now suspended for Brighton but made amends by winning the ball back and producing a brilliant cross for Ekitike’s second. Was brought off at 2-0.
Ibrahima Konate – 4
Looked more assured… until giving away the Leeds penalty that invited them back into it. It was a risky and needless tackle on Wilfried Gnonto. Liverpool then ended up conceding three times. What is up with the Frenchman this season?
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Wasted a great headed chance to score from a free-kick in the first half and some lackadaisical moments defensively. Was only denied a goal by a brilliant Lucas Perri save and was strong in the air throughout until the corner Leeds made it 3-3 from. Booked.
Milos Kerkez – 6
A fairly solid display from the much-maligned left-back albeit a lot of his offensive runs went ignored by his team-mates.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
An improved performance until the game became a bit wild and bypassed him. Before then, his performance included some classic Gravenberch moments of driving through the midfield. It was his incisive pass that set up Szoboszlai for the killer Liverpool third.
Curtis Jones – 6
Struck the crossbar with a brilliant curling effort and good at keeping the ball under pressure but defensively questionable for Leeds’ second goal, too easily allowing Stach to get his shot away.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Worked incredibly hard off the ball as always and should have had an assist for a first-half Van Dijk header. A brilliant run and finish to secure Liverpool what should have been the victory but he was once again let down by his team-mates. Liverpool’s undisputed MVP.
Florian Wirtz – 6
Looked threatening when he had the ball but needed to get more touches in more dangerous areas. Still an acceptable enough performance but needs to have more confidence to make things happen himself.
Cody Gakpo – 4
Too ineffective first half given how much of the ball he saw, wasting multiple promising attacks with poor decision-making or his final ball or shot. Forced a good save from Perri second half but still needs to do better generally.
Hugo Ekitike – 8
Had a shot deflected over the bar but was otherwise a bit on the periphery for 48 minutes until he fooled the goalkeeper to find the bottom corner and punish Joe Rodon’s mistake. Then stayed onside to score his second just moments after being denied a penalty. Unfortunately, his brace only contributed to a point instead of all three.
Substitutes
Alexis Mac Allister (Bradley 68) – 6
A brilliant run helped free up the space for Szoboszlai to make it 3-2.
Joe Gomez (Bradley 68) – 6
Brought on to see out victory but Liverpool conceded three goals with him on the pitch. Booked for a heavy challenge.
Alexander Isak (Gakpo 83) – N/A
Headed one just wide deep into stoppage time but otherwise barely got into the game.
Wataru Endo (Ekitike 83) – N/A
A rare Premier League cameo for the midfielder but couldn’t help Liverpool see out victory.