Leeds United fans will be waking up on Sunday morning with a smile on their face after a crazy week that finally resulted in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool and a last-gasp equaliser.
All six goals came in the second half on Saturday night, as Leeds came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to steal a point from Liverpool’s clutches. Hugo Ekitike scored a quick-fire brace after the half-time break.
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But Leeds responded. Daniel Farke made substitutions and they worked. Willy Gnonto won a penalty, even if Arne Slot claims Gnonto was going to ground before Ibrahima Konate made contact with him.
Then, Brenden Aaronson drove forward and found Anton Stach to score. But Ao Tanaka, another sub made by Farke, took the headlines as he scored in the 96th minute after a corner bobbled to him.
Michael Owen in strange verdict over Leeds United penalty
Speaking after the match, Liverpool legend Michael Owen was asked for his thoughts on Anthony Taylor’s decision to award Leeds a penalty. A crucial moment and the first of three goals Leeds scored last night.
Owen told Premier League Productions that while he believes it was a penalty, he does not believe VAR were right to intervene and tell Taylor to look at the monitor because it was not a clear and obvious error.
“See I think this is probably a penalty. But I do have a problem with VAR in this situation. I don’t think it’s an absolute howler, I think some people will be watching that and say ‘hmmm, not sure’,” Owen said.
“VAR should only come in with absolutely huge mistakes, stone wall mistakes. I don’t think that was. I still think it was a penalty but I am sceptical why VAR came in there,” the former Liverpool striker continued.
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The Leeds manager changed the game against Liverpool with his subs
What Daniel Farke said about awarding of Leeds United’s penalty
As aforementioned, Slot feels Gnonto was going to ground already and used Konate’s sliding tackle as a chance to initiate contact and diving in. But ultimately, it’s a terrible bit of defending from Konate.
It will come as no surprise to Leeds fans that Farke disagrees with Slot’s take. Farke makes the point that if numerous referees had watched the incident and agreed with the call, then that is what should be made.
“I haven’t even watched the scenes back, but I would think if VAR comes in and then the referee decides to watch it again, and then decides; Oh, it’s a penalty, then I think it’s how it should be handled,” he said.
One thing Owen did get right, was his pre-match comments. After Leeds beat Chelsea, Owen said Leeds could get something against Liverpool and he was right, after Tanaka popped up to secure a late point.
Four points and eight goals scored in a run of three games against Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. They have turned the corner, and hopefully Leeds can continue this against Brentford this time next week.
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