Liverpool endured yet another painful setback, heightening the pressure on manager Arne Slot after Leeds twice clawed back to secure a pulsating 3-3 draw on Saturday.
The Reds appeared in control at multiple stages of the contest, first racing into a 2-0 advantage through a rapid brace from Hugo Ekitike and later reclaiming the lead when Dominik Szoboszlai struck, yet they still stumbled, failing once again to finish the job. The setback marked the eighth time in ten league outings that Liverpool have been unable to secure victory, deepening concerns about the club’s ongoing decline.
Slot’s continued trust in Ibrahima Konate is expected to draw harsher examination after the French defender conceded the penalty that ignited Leeds’ resurgence. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot, and Anton Stach levelled moments later, undoing Liverpool’s earlier work before Szoboszlai briefly restored calm. But deep into stoppage time, Liverpool faltered again from a corner, allowing Ao Tanaka to drift free at the back post and hammer home the equaliser.
That late lapse left Liverpool stranded in eighth place, showing little evidence of reversing the worrying slide that has followed their record-equalling 20th league triumph last season.
Slot demonstrated boldness in his selection by starting Ekitike ahead of the club’s marquee signing, Alexander Isak, while Mohamed Salah remained among the substitutes for the third straight match. Leeds, buoyed by their impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea earlier in the week that eased pressure on Daniel Farke, took another significant point that moved them three clear of the relegation zone.
The first half ended without a goal, though Curtis Jones came closest as his curling attempt rattled the crossbar. Early in the second period, Leeds handed Liverpool an opening when Ekitike capitalised on a misplaced pass from Joe Rodon and calmly finished past Lucas Perri. The forward then threw himself at Conor Bradley’s low delivery, and fortune favoured him when Perri’s attempted clearance ricocheted off him and crossed the line.
Ekitike has emerged as the sole major signing from Liverpool’s astonishing near £450 million transfer window who has consistently delivered. Despite limited minutes following Isak’s return to fitness, the Frenchman has now scored eight times for the Reds. Yet Liverpool’s promising moments quickly unravelled at the other end, where Konate’s ongoing struggles once again proved costly.
His rash decision to dive into a challenge on Willy Gnonto near the byline prompted a VAR review that ultimately awarded Leeds a penalty. Calvert-Lewin buried it emphatically, and within seconds, Stach, left with too much freedom in Liverpool’s area, fired a powerful strike beyond Alisson Becker to level the tie.
But Leeds grew overeager in their pursuit of an unlikely winning goal, and Liverpool exploited the lapse immediately. Szoboszlai reacted sharply to a clever dummy from Alexis Mac Allister and guided the ball into the far corner, seemingly securing a late victory. However, Liverpool’s inability to manage critical moments resurfaced, and their failure to defend a stoppage-time corner ensured Leeds left Anfield with a share of the points, and Liverpool’s frustrations continued to mount.
What You Should Know
Liverpool’s growing crisis under Arne Slot deepened after the team surrendered another lead, extending a troubling run of results that has derailed their season.
Hugo Ekitike offered bright moments with two goals, but defensive frailties—especially from Ibrahima Konate—proved decisive once again. Leeds, fighting to steer clear of relegation, capitalised on Liverpool’s repeated lapses and showed resilience that earned them a valuable point.
The match reflected broader issues within Liverpool’s squad, from struggling defensive organisation to inconsistent decision-making in pressure moments, raising urgent questions about the team’s direction and Slot’s ability to steady the campaign.
