Ao Tanaka admits ‘frustration’ in mysterious post after scoring Leeds United equaliser v Liverpool

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If there is going to be a defining moment for Leeds United in their battle against relegation, it could well be the week just gone by, but for Ao Tanaka, it saw him answer his own doubts.

Leeds have climbed into 16th place in the Premier League table, ahead of Nottingham Forest, after their dismal 3-0 defeat to Everton. Daniel Farke is back on the coveted point-a-game line, his job intact again.

But for Tanaka, he could not have asked for a better few days. The Japan star recently admitted doubts about being able to cut it in the Premier League, but those concerns are surely put to bed right now.

A gorgeous goal came after a flash of the midfielder’s right boot against Chelsea, at a crucial time, too. Doubling Leeds’ lead and giving fans hope that Farke and the 3-5-2 system would actually produce.

• READ MORE: Gary Neville delivers relegation verdict in stark reality check to Leeds and supporters

Ao Tanaka in honest admission as Leeds midfielder sparkles

Surprisingly, Tanaka saw his name missing from the team sheet. But not to worry, because the Japan star would strike the most important kick of the ball throughout the entire match, equalising on 96 minutes.

A goal that sent Elland Road into raptures, a goal that has taken Leeds a place higher in the table and for Tanaka himself, more evidence he is good enough at this level. He posted on Instagram on Sunday.

Interestingly, the Leeds star posted a mysterious caption in which the £3.5m signing from Dusseldorf admitted his “frustration”, but that he is working to use that frustration as energy in pursuit of success.

“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,” Tanaka said on Instagram in a message to fans, a somewhat curious message.

Ao Tanaka is Leeds’ fourth-best player according to stats

Despite only starting seven of Leeds’ 15 Premier League games this season, Tanaka is establishing himself as one of Leeds’ most impactful players. Already, scoring two crucial goals from the middle of the park.

But also, impressive in a new-look system, too. With Sean Longstaff injured, Tanaka will get more game time over the course of the month before Longstaff is back in training and becomes available again.

Longstaff, however, may find it difficult to shift Tanaka out of his path. According to stats site FotMob, Tanaka is the fourth-best player at Leeds this season, despite starting less than half of the matches.

There is a long way to go, and he will admit that himself. There have even been concerns regarding Tanaka’s physicality. But as Tanaka described Willy Gnonto this weekend, he himself is a game changer.