Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations suffered a blow after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Leeds at Elland Road.
Hugo Ekitike scored twice for Leeds, while Dominik Szoboszlai netted for Liverpool, following a goal initiated by Ibrahima Konate. Ao Tanaka secured a late equalizer for the home side.
Despite establishing a 3-2 lead, Arne Slot’s squad exhibited a nervy performance, failing to secure a vital victory.
Defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of consistent attacking conviction, even with three goals, highlighted crucial areas for immediate improvement within the Reds’ squad.
Liverpool Player RatingsĀ
Alisson Becker (Rating: 6/10)
The goalkeeper had a quiet afternoon in terms of shot-stopping but was not immune to the overall defensive struggles. He handled the ball confidently in the slippery conditions, yet his distribution was occasionally below par, reflecting recent inconsistencies in his passing.
Conor Bradley (Rating: 6/10)
The full-back showed effort and was involved in the buildup to the second goal, winning the ball back high up the pitch. However, his performance was tainted by a poorly-judged challenge that earned him a booking and a subsequent suspension for the next Premier League fixture.
Ibrahima Konate (Rating: 4/10)
The centre-back delivered a catastrophic display, receiving the squad’s lowest rating for a performance riddled with nerves and errors. He was wholly responsible for allowing Leeds back into the contest with a reckless and “needless slide tackle” inside the box that conceded a penalty.
Virgil van Dijk (Rating: 6/10)
Liverpool’s captain failed to inspire confidence or control the chaos, often looking out of sync with his defensive partner. He missed a decent headed chance from a set-piece and, like the rest of the defense, was not operating at his usual “peak form.”
Milos Kerkez (Rating: 6/10)
The Hungarian defender was selected ahead of Andy Robertson and was active early on, even taking a shot over the bar. He defended capably for large stretches, yet his forward runs and overall attacking impact diminished significantly as the match progressed.
Ryan Gravenberch (Rating: 6/10)
A better showing from the midfielder who has recently struggled for form, frequently showcasing his trademark spin to evade pressure. While an improvement, his contribution was ultimately “fine but not perfect,” although he did provide the key pass for the team’s third goal.
Curtis Jones (Rating: 7/10)
The Scouser was one of the brightest spots in the midfield trio, reliably taking care of the ball in possession. He came close to scoring with a superb curled effort that struck the crossbar, demonstrating excellent technique and industry throughout the match.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Rating: 7/10)
Playing on the right, the attacker often drifted centrally, leading to a lack of width in attack but allowing him to influence the central zones. He scored Liverpool’s final goal with a composed finish late in the game after a clean pass from Gravenberch.
Florian Wirtz (Rating: 5/10)
Operating in the Number 10 role, the German international struggled against the physical nature of the opposition midfield. He was frequently “outmuscled” and given very little space or time to operate, resulting in a performance that lacked offensive incision.
Cody Gakpo (Rating: 6/10)
The forward had a difficult evening, failing to beat his marker in one-on-one situations, continuing a recent trend. He got into promising positions but his decision-making was often poor, either overhitting a pass or failing to convert a counter-attacking opportunity.
Hugo Ekitike (Rating: 8/10)
Ekitike was the indisputable standout performer, justifying his selection with a clinical display that earned him the top rating. He netted a quick-fire brace in the second half, capitalizing on a defensive error for the first before converting a cross for the second, finishing as the “match-winner.”