Tanaka volley earns Leeds United 3-3 draw against Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai late goal failed to secure all three points for Liverpool as Ao Tanaka volley earned Leeds United a well deserved points in a six goal thriller at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds swing a corner in, which goes through a few players and Tanaka volleyed in at the far post from close range to make it a 3-3 draw against the league champions.

The draw means Liverpool are eighth in the table. Leeds move up to 16th.

Both teams played a goalless first half with all five goals coming in the second half.

Hugo Ekitike’s scored quickfire double to put Liverpool 2-0 up at Leeds. He got his second goal in the space of three minutes as he throws himself at Conor Bradley’s cross to bundle a shot in.

According to the talkSport live commentator, the fortress Leeds United spent 45 minutes building in the first half crunbled in minutes.

However, Liverpool gave up the lead in space of two minutes after Ibrahima Konate slides in and catches some player in a wrong tackle that was initialy overlooked by the centre referee.

However, the video assistant referee (VAR) called Anthony Taylor’s attention to check for possible ponalty, which was later given by the referee.

Alisson goes the right way but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty flies past him to make it 1-2.

Moments after, Leeds United levelled score at 2-2 thanks to Anton Stach with assist from Brenden Aaronson inside the Liverpool box.

Stach cuts in to beat Curtis Jones and sends Alisson the wrong way with his shot towards the near post.

But, Szoboszlai’s 80th minute goal could not secure all three points for the visitor as Leeds United equalised on the final. moments of the encounter.

winner sends the Premier League champion to 5th position same points with Chelsea on 4th with 25 points.

Chelsea leads on goals difference having scored more goals than Liverpool. The Blues have 10 goals advantage over the Reds with one GD.

Ryan Gravenberch passes the ball and Alexis Mac Allister steps over it very well indeed with Dominik Szoboszlai running in behind him. The Hungarian takes a touch or two and slots the ball into the bottom corner.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was booked straight after that goal for stopping Leeds from getting the ball.

Liverpool traveled to Elland Road hoping to reignite their winning form against Leeds United after a terrible run of form that saw the league winner lose nine of their last 14 games.

Arne Slot’s men have struggled of late and a 2-0 victory over West Ham proved a false dawn as they drew 1-1 with Sunderland last time out in a rather lacklustre performance.

“It’s never an easy decision because we all know what a great player he is. But it is also up to me to pick the team that I think we need today. That’s why I made the decision,” Slot said on his decision to leave out Mohamed Salah once again.

The manager benched the underperforming Mo Salah for both of those fixtures and the 33-year-old was a substitute in Saturday’s fixture.

However, Slot said Salah still has ‘very good future’ at Liverpool despite being dropped for the Leeds United game.

Leeds meanwhile are hovering just outside the relegation zone and sit two points ahead of 18th placed West Ham coming into the weekend.

But, Daniel Farke’s men enjoyed a huge boost in a stunning 3-1 win over high-fliers Chelsea on Wednesday and the manager was hoping to replicate that form again against Liverpool.

Seyi John Salau is a BusinessDay Correspondent with interest in development journalism, which tells stories that connect the people, brands, and the government. SeyiJohn is also a media professional with BSc, Mass Communition (ACU); Masters of School Media (MSM, Ibadan) & MSc, Mass Communication (Caleb).

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