Leeds United produced a miraculous comeback to secure a point at home to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, with Ao Tanaka popping up at the back stick to score a 96th-minute equaliser.
It’s not the first time Tanaka has scored from a corner at the back post, with the Japan star netting at Bramall Lane in the same way last season during Leeds’ crucial 3-1 win over rivals Sheffield United.
Who was YOUR Leeds United Man of the Match against Liverpool?
But Tanaka’s second goal in a week is the end result of a crazy second half that saw Liverpool take the lead twice, and Leeds reply twice. Six goals scored, with Liverpool going 2-0 up in the 50th minute.
Leeds replied through a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty and Anton Stach goal, before Dominik Szoboszlai made it 3-2. Then, in the sixth minute of injury time, Tanaka slammed home a left-footed effort.
Arne Slot accuses Willy Gnonto of conning the referee
Leeds began their comeback through Daniel Farke. It was reactive in making the three changes he did make, but he can hardly be blamed, given the instant start Liverpool made to the second half.
One of the three subs was Willy Gnonto, and it was the Italian who won the penalty, delaying his cross and inviting a tackle from Ibrahima Konate. The under-pressure defender had dived in at Gnonto.
But according to Liverpool manager Slot, Gnonto was always on his way to ground before Konate made contact with him. He suggested to Sky Sports, as per BBC Sport, that Gnonto had conned Anthony Taylor.
“If you want to call it a mistake, it’s a mistake from hard work and trying. There was contact that’s for sure. The player was already going to the floor. But again in that situation we should look at ourselves.”
FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-3 Liverpool
AO TANAKA! What a player, what a result! 🔥🔥🔥
Embarrassing comments from Arne Slot after VAR check
Initially, Taylor had not given a penalty but after VAR informed the man in the middle to check the pitch-side monitor, Taylor overturned his initial decision and awarded Leeds a penalty for the foul on Gnonto.
Perhaps in the heat of the moment, Slot decided to shift the blame to others rather than himself and his players. It’s not the first time a Liverpool manager has attempted to do so, and the majority will disagree.
For Leeds, and for Farke, it is another welcome shot in the arm. After Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 defeat to Everton, Leeds have now overtaken Sean Dyche’s side and find themselves in 16th place after 15 games.
The fixture list gets a touch easier in the next few outings, after facing Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of a week. Brentford, Palace and Sunderland next, before Liverpool again on New Year’s Day.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
