"Up to me" - Ao Tanaka issues personal Leeds United message amid frustration and role in Liverpool fightback
Ao Tanaka played a pivotal role in helping Leeds United to an amazing comeback draw against Liverpool.
Whites star Ao Tanaka has issued a determined “up to me” Leeds United message after his role in Saturday evening’s incredible 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Elland Road.
Japanese international midfielder Tanaka is facing his first season in the Premier League and declared at the end of October that he was not currently good enough to meet the standards required.
Tanaka, though, vowed to strive to improve and ended a fine week for both himself and his team by netting a 96th-minute equaliser in Saturday’s dramatic draw against Liverpool.
The 27-year-old had played the full duration of last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City in which Daniel Farke’s Whites trailed 2-0 but almost pulled off a stunning comeback only to suffer a last gasp 3-2 defeat.
“Can only be transformed into energy”
Tanaka then netted his first Premier League goal with a majestic strike in Wednesday night’s 3-1 win at home to Chelsea before coming off the bench to blast home his late equaliser against the Reds.
The Japan star has looked every inch Premier League level - and has now followed his stellar week with a social media message alluding to his reaction to previous frustration.
Taking to his Instagram page, Tanaka shared a photograph of himself celebrating his late equaliser together with the message: “This is the effort of the team and the fans.
“Everything in life is always up to me. Frustration can only be transformed into energy.”