Leeds United managed to salvage a point against Liverpool having made several individual errors during the second half, almost gifting Arne Slot’s struggling side three points.
As the dust settles down on a crazy week that sees Daniel Farke save his job with four points against Chelsea and Liverpool, the German gaffer will be alerting to his players to numerous defensive errors.
Daniel Farke relieved after Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool results 🎂🍺☕
Coffee and cake for the Leeds gaffer!
“To be honest, I’m happy that this weekend is over and I can have some coffee and cake on the sofa. Maybe even a beer, or a pint.”
While the momentum is big after Ao Tanaka’s late equaliser and eight goals in three games, there are major issues that Farke needs to sort out in defence. Joe Rodon made a very rare error with the ball.
That was for Liverpool’s first, while Gabi Gudmundsson and Lucas Perri didn’t shower themselves in glory for Liverpool’s second. Farke said he was furious with Tanaka for Liverpool’s third, as he broke the block.
Tony Dorigo couldn’t believe what Willy Gnonto did
But Tony Dorigo was fuming with another Leeds player as Dominik Szoboszlai slid home Liverpool’s third and what looked as though, would be the winner. Liverpool sliced Leeds open through the middle.
Speaking as LUTV’s co-commentator during the game, former Leeds defender Dorigo took aim at winger Willy Gnonto for not covering Gudmundsson, who had gone inside to try to block Szoboszlai’s shot.
“You could see that coming in the build-up too; there’s got to be better communication. Just look here, once Gudmundsson has gone in to the danger man [Szoboszlai], Gnonto has got to help,” Dorigo said.
“He’s got to get across as well, don’t just stay out with your man. Where’s the danger? It’s where the goal is. As soon as someone moves, it’s like a piece of string. There’s no one there and the gap is gigantic.”
Did Leeds deserve a point? The highlights from draw with Liverpool 🤯
What a week!
The conundrum now facing Leeds manager Daniel Farke
The issue Farke now has is two-fold. The 3-5-2 system, using physicality and being defensively solid, worked superbly against Chelsea. Largely, because Lukas Nmecha could make the ball stick in attack.
If Nmecha is missing, the 3-5-2 fails because Leeds struggle to get up the pitch. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is superb in the air but against a defender like Virgil van Dijk, he failed to gain Leeds territory throughout.
Indeed, he lost 17 of his 19 duels on Sunday. So, Farke has a problem when Leeds go to Brentford and it could hinge on Nmecha’s fitness. Does he go more attacking to get Leeds up the pitch, with 4-3-3?
That system saw Leeds score goals, but concede them too. It leaves the full-backs exposed, with Gnonto failing to cover for Gudmundsson. Or, does he revert to 3-5-2 and attempt to be solid against Brentford.
Given Leeds’ record in London, and their dismal away form in the Premier League this season, surely it has got to be the latter when Leeds go to west London to face the impressive Brentford come this weekend.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
