Leeds United produced their second spirited comeback in as many weekends and were rewarded for it with a 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool on Saturday. Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka earned a massive point for a Whites side who were 2-0 and 3-2 down at points.
Virgil van Dijk had the best chance of a first-half in which there was little of note in front of goal, heading Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick wide after finding space. Leeds weren’t able to physically dominate their opponents in the same way as Wednesday night but defended well to keep it goalless at the break.
But Leeds conceded almost instantly after the break with Joe Rodon at fault, his loose pass going behind Ethan Ampadu and into the path of Hugo Ekitike, who finished well. The Liverpool striker then doubled his side’s lead two minutes later, latching into Conor Bradley’s cross after Gabriel Gudmundsson was dispossessed in a dangerous area.
Farke made three changes and was instantly rewarded, with substitute Willy Gnonto winning a penalty that Calvert-Lewin converted confidently to get Leeds back at 2-1 inside 72 minutes. And the home side got their own quickfire second, with Stach rifling home after good work from another in-game introduction, Brenden Aaronson.
Liverpool got a foothold back in the game with 10 minutes to go as Szoboszlai slipped a finish beyond Lucas Perri after a slipped pass from Ryan Gravenberch. But there was one final twist to come deep in added-time as Tanaka scrambled in an equaliser from a Leeds corner.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the performance. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Lucas Perri
6 - Made a couple of good stops. His kicking was problematically inaccurate too often. | AFP via Getty Images
2. RWB: Jayden Bogle
6 - Had some tricky moments, especially after taking a first half booking. Dug in and caused a few problems once the game changed. | Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
6 - His mistake for the first goal was so uncharacteristic but so needless and costly. He responded well, throwing himself into challenges and trying to make amends. | Getty Images
4. CB: Jaka Bijol
7 - Spotted Ekitike a fraction too late for the second but the initial problem was caused elsewhere. Was solid. | Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
6 - Put Gudmundsson under pressure with a needless pass for the second. Had some good moments in possession. | AFP via Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
6 - Played a part in the second Reds goal, was beaten by the dummy for the third but kept responding, kept wanting the ball and getting forward well | AFP via Getty Images