Liverpool secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Dominik Szoboszlai proved to be the hero for the Reds, calmly slotting home the decisive goal in the 80th minute to restore Liverpool’s lead after a late resurgence from the home side.
The game had already seen its fair share of controversy. Liverpool had taken an early 2-0 advantage, but a contentious penalty awarded to Leeds in the closing stages sparked debates, with VAR stepping in to review the incident. Ibrahima Konate was penalized for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto in the penalty area, and despite Alisson Becker guessing the correct way, Leeds’ striker Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot in the 73rd minute to make it 2-1, reigniting hope for the hosts.
Elland Road erupted as Leeds pushed for an equalizer, and the momentum seemed to shift in their favor. However, Szoboszlai’s composed finish into the bottom corner extinguished their hopes and ensured Liverpool left Yorkshire with all three points. Leeds manager Marco Farke was left questioning how his team allowed such a decisive goal to slip through, undoing all the hard work they had put in throughout the match.
Tactical Setup and Key Players
Liverpool manager Arne Slot fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, making strategic adjustments following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Sunderland in their previous outing. Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez were handed starting roles, reflecting Slot’s desire to blend experience with fresh attacking options.
Alisson Becker continued between the posts, supported at the back by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, aiming to maintain defensive stability. Szoboszlai and Kerkez operated as wing-backs, tasked with both defensive duties and providing width in attack. Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson were available on the bench to provide cover if needed.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch anchored the central areas, while the creative trio of Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Salah aimed to link the midfield and attack effectively. Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa provided additional depth from the bench, ready to influence the game in the second half if required.
Up front, Hugo Ekitike led the line, with Alexander Isak waiting on the bench to make a late impact. The attacking unit combined pace, skill, and vision to penetrate Leeds’ defensive setup and create opportunities in the final third.
Match Highlights
- Early dominance from Liverpool saw them establish a 2-0 lead.
- Controversial penalty awarded to Leeds in the 73rd minute; Calvert-Lewin converts.
- Szoboszlai’s decisive goal in the 80th minute seals a 3-2 win for Liverpool.
This victory lifts Liverpool closer to the top five in the Premier League standings, giving them momentum as they look to strengthen their position in the race for European qualification. Leeds, despite their late fightback, will rue the missed chances and defensive lapses that ultimately cost them points at home
