Leeds v Liverpool live: Ao Tanaka grabs late equaliser in raucous Premier League clash
Liverpool slipped up again after Hugo Ekitike had put them 2-0 ahead at Elland Road
Leeds United's Ao Tanaka scored deep into stoppage time to earn his side a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, rifling home from a corner at the back post to salvage a valuable point after a frenetic fight-back.
After a sluggish first half, Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike netted twice in just over two minutes after the break, but a penalty from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a brilliantly worked goal from Anton Stach in a three-minute spell got Leeds back level.
Dominik Szoboszlai looked to have sealed it for Liverpool with a coolly taken goal in the 80th minute to silence the home crowd, but his side's defensive frailties were exposed again when Tanaka was left unmarked at the far post to score six minutes into stoppage time.
The draw leaves Liverpool eighth in the table on 23 points, while Leeds move up to 16th spot with 15 points from their 15 games so far.
Slot’s Liverpool misery deepens
Ao Tanaka’s 96th-minute equaliser denied the Premier League champions at the death at Hugo Ekitike had earlier opened a two-goal lead.
Read Richard Jolly’s report:
Arne Slot’s Liverpool misery deepens as Ao Tanaka delivers again for spirited Leeds
We didn't need Salah, says Slot
Here’s Arne Slot, explaining why he didn’t use Salah tonight:
“We were 2-0 up, we were 3-2 up. At that moment in time it was more about controlling the game and we didn't need a goal at that moment in time.
"Normally when you need a goal, like last week against Sunderland, I brought Mo on. We needed different players like Wataru [Endo] when we needed to bring the win over the line.
"He gave everything. We have to accept the situation we are in. The short term future of Mo is that he is going to the Africa Cup of Nations but before that we play Inter Milan."
Full-time: Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
Anton Stach: “These are the moments why we play football. It’s a big strength that we come back against the champions of last year. It was because of the atmosphere. After the penalty, it was so loud. Of course you are tired, but then you score a goal, and when the crowd are so loud it’s like a switch in your head and then you can run more.
“It’s great to take four points [against Chelsea and Liverpool].”
Full-time: Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
Tanaka speaks to Sky Sports: “Fantastic atmosphere. We were losing but nobody ever gave up.
“Amazing game. We are still [near the] bottom, so we have to be better.”
Full-time: Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
That wild moment at the finish:
Leeds deserved the draw
Richard Jolly at Elland Road:
Ridiculous second half after a rather dull first. Leeds certainly deserved their point. But from 2-0 and 3-2, Liverpool let that slip. Their defensive issues were all too apparent again.
Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
90+7 min: Isak tries a long shot and just misses the target. Is there one more twist in this game?
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