Leeds 3-3 Liverpool
Premier League (15) | Ellandweg
December 6, 2025
Goals: Ekitike 48′, 50′, Szoboszlai 80′; Calvert-Lewin (pen) 73′, Stach 75′, Tanaka 90+6′
Alisson Becker – 6 (out of 10)
It looked cold in the opening stages, numb feet leading to some wayward passes and questionable clearances. Matters were settled as the defense developed into a proceeding.
Came alive and showed his caliber on the hour, throwing himself low to deny Jayden Bogle’s close-range move despite the linesman’s flag going up. Always alert and aware.
Fingertips away from denying Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty. Couldn’t get close to the other two targets, got cold and had to watch them sail by miserably.
Conor Bradley – 6
I’m more than ready for this, and love being on the end of many a meaty challenge, especially on rough terrain.
At times the pace was disrupted as Gabriel Gudmundsson’s overlapping runs pulled him out of position. Was rightly sad to see yellow for an unnecessary challenge.
A beautiful delivery into the area just before the second half for Hugo Ekitike. A serious footballer, with so many facets to his game.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Has received so much criticism in recent weeks, and rightly so, but it seems to be toughening the skin and there were some positive signs here – well, before the punitive accident.
He clocked out quickly. Calvert-Lewin threw down the gauntlet for the physical encounter and refused to be moved.
Could have done better with his first passes, and had a total head-lose moment when he slid full-body onto Wilfried Gnoto to give away the penalty.
Redeemed himself somewhat with a great last-ditch challenge to poke Calvert-Lewin’s ball in extra time, even though he didn’t know a handball had been given. Another game with hot and cold moments galore.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Enjoyed the opening stages as the defense settled resolutely around him, but looked like a bear with a sore head after the penalty went in and saw red as the equalizer hit the back of the net.
It was a shame the Reds didn’t get back into the lead with a powerful header, but soon fell deeper after the lead was restored in the last 10.
The stability lasted only a few minutes before they were caught up in the melee with Leeds registering their third of the evening.
Milos Kerkez-6
Worked like a dog in the first half, hammering up and down the line as a result of the unpredictable loss of possession courtesy of Cody Gakpo.
Every time the Dutchman failed to recognize Kerkez’s run and lost the ball, it was a quick sprint back to the backline for Liverpool’s summer signing – not something you want to do in the pouring rain at Elland Road.
Defensively remained solid and consistent, showing very positive signs of learning his role and place within this team, but ultimately found himself on a side that looked as uneven and full of mistakes as ever.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Managed to break the lines in the first half but soon looked fairly outvoted in the middle as Leeds doubled the numbers.
Continued to escape traps and keep the ball moving for the Reds, linking up well with Jones, although too often the partnership never became the catalyst for bigger things.
Curtis Jones-6
The midfield was energized early and was unlucky not to score a stunning, weak effort in the first half, causing the paint to disappear off the crossbar.
He appeared to be responding to his recent rallying cry of more intensity but looked like a passenger for Leeds’ equalizer when Anton Stach simply strolled past him before heading home.
The inconsistency needs to be resolved.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8 (Man of the Match)
He continued his rather ridiculous streak of being very good in virtually every position.
Came out left, right and center and kept his cool while those around him lost theirs. Was sharp in the pass and repeatedly covered Bradley on the overlap.
Predictably, as always, he had enough gas in the tank to run the length of the pitch and curl the ball home for what looked like the match-winner as Liverpool were in serious trouble.
Florian Wirtz – 7
Not only plugged, but also owned the No. 10 gap, and Leeds’ defense cringed every time.
Jaka Bijol Pascal Struijk’s static units were unable to connect too closely to the dancing playmaker, allowing Ekitike to capitalize on their hesitation time and time again.
He had too many periods where he no longer had any influence on the momentum and Liverpool immediately looked insecure.
Cody Go – 5
He took up so many promising positions but was guilty of too much waste in the first half, especially given the unexpected acres of space afforded him by the hosts.
Communication with Kerkez often left much to be desired, but thanks to Gakpo’s fast runs, Wirtz was able to find even more space on the last man.
Ultimately, the final product is not there.
Hugo Ekitike – 8
Must start football matches. A razor-sharp attacker who functions best when he is in a flow state.
Looked menacing throughout and came alive at the perfect moment just as the second period started. His spatial awareness is second to none, and there is no player on this current team that you would rather put in a one-on-one scenario than Ekitike.
The first time a Liverpool player has scored twice in a match since March says a lot. Now is the time to get consistent and productive again, and Ekitike needs regular starting game time to do that.
Overall team performance – 5
Substitutes
Alexis Mac Allister (on for Wirtz, 68′) – 6 – Brought out a nice, well-read dummy for Szoboszlai’s goal and his running presence helped create the overload and make the goal possible. Won’t be happy coming off the bench, but needs to get himself back into shape. This cameo will help.
Joe Gomez (in for Bradley, 68′) – 6 – Added presence to the backline and did not shy away from the challenge, charging into Gnonto and immediately taking yellow.
Alexander Isak (on for Ekitike, 83′) – 6 – Didn’t have much time and came under the most pressured circumstances. Almost achieved a late victory with a header towards the bottom corner.
Wataru Endo (on for Gakpo, 83′) – 6 – Made for a rare appearance to try to save the win.
Subs not used: Chiesa, Salah, Marmadashvili, Ngumoha, Robertson
Arne Slot – 6
Again very brutal by dropping Mo Salah from the starting line-up, the third game in a row.
Leeds’ two goals came shortly after Slot’s first substitutions, with the eventual equalizer coming after going to five central midfielders behind Isak.
He looked like a deer in the headlights as the equalizer came in, agonizing over what to do next as the grains of sand quickly fell through the timer.
Liverpool benefited from the hosts’ Hail Mary approach, but held on strongly after taking the 3-2 lead.
It felt inevitable that Liverpool would not come away with a win once the extra nine minutes had elapsed.
Liverpool are too erratic and vulnerable in the wrong places. There seems to be no end to the catalog of errors.
#Leeds #Liverpool #Player #Ratings