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Super sub Ao Tanaka’s stoppage-time strike sealed leeds A dramatic 3-3 draw as Premier League champions liverpool Slipped once again.
Arne Slott’s Reds had suffered six defeats in seven top-flight matches before last weekend’s win at West Ham and an unconvincing Anfield draw with surprise package Sunderland.
Liverpool can’t afford any setbacks Elland Road on Saturday evening and when he was on his way to an outright victory hugo akitike Scored a quick two goals at the beginning of the second half.
But spirited Leeds hit back in stunning fashion after Wednesday’s home win against Chelsea, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring from the spot before Anton Stach created a ruck late on.
Dominic Szoboszlai Liverpool looked to be embarrassed 10 minutes from time, but Daniel Farke’s stubborn team continued to fight and shook Elland Road to its foundations in stoppage time.
Liverpool saw set piece weaknesses once again exposed as a corner fell for substitute Tanaka to add to his superb goal against Chelsea and earn a hard-fought point.
Elland Road were on fire at the final whistle, just as it had been during a bright start, with Noah Okafor being dragged wide and another effort parried narrowly wide by Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Farke’s men maintained their discipline but Liverpool took the lead in proceedings, with Curtis Jones sending a strike over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Akitike saw a shot blocked and Szoboszlai slammed a well-placed free-kick wide of the target as Liverpool took control, with Virgil van Dijk wasting a wonderful chance when he flicked a header from close range.
Cody Gakpo had an effort blocked as the opening period ended, before a stormy start to the second period set the tone for a chaotic half.
A loose pass from the usually reliable Joe Rodon to captain Ethan Ampadu was latched onto by Ekitike, who kept his composure as he raced towards goal and beat Lucas Perry in the 48th minute.
Liverpool smelled blood and remained composed even after a penalty call was rejected, with Connor Bradley dispossessing Gudmundsson on the right and hitting a cross from the right which Ekitike headed past Perry.
The 50th-minute goal was given the green light after a lengthy VAR check for offside.
Ekitike’s double looked to have sealed this meeting as a contest, but Liverpool have repeatedly shown an inability to control the game in recent months.
Moments after Perry brilliantly prevented Gakpo from stopping the game, substitute Willie Gnonto was awarded a penalty after a careless challenge by Ibrahima Konate on Anthony Taylor was sent to the monitor by VAR John Brooks.
Calvert-Lewin stepped up to beat Alisson with a spot-kick in the 73rd minute and followed that up with a strike two minutes later that caused an uproar.
Substitute Brendan Aaronson made smart play by laying a pass to Stach, who confidently headed in and took down Alisson as he hit home at the near post.
Perry expertly nodded home Van Dijk to deny the visitors the lead, but a Leeds goal woke Slott’s side from their slumber.
The visitors somehow managed to recover amid the whirlwind, with Alexis McAllister cleverly latching on to a Ryan Gravenberch pass, which Szoboszlai met with a touch and a low finish.
It was a get out of jail free card in the 80th minute, which was blown two-thirds of the way during nine minutes of stoppage time.
The Reds failed to deal with a Stache corner and Tanaka smashed it to the ground at the far post, sending the ball flying into the back of the net to the delight of the Leeds faithful.
Alexander Isak also came close to the winner late on, but Farc’s men were denied a point.