Liverpool saw a late collapse in their Premier League clash with Leeds United, allowing a 96th-minute Ao Tanaka goal to seal a 3-3 draw at Elland Road, reported by SoftFootball. The defending champions had led 2-0 and then 3-2, but defensive lapses and loss of focus cost them two points.
Gary Neville analysed the match, highlighting the team’s fragility and how the confidence built during their 2024-25 title-winning season is quickly eroding in a video shared on the Sky Sports Premier League official X account. Neville pointed to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate’s early solidity breaking down against Leeds’ substitutes.
He said:
Even at 3-2, you were almost like something could happen. You don’t trust them. They’ve lost trust. Mistakes are piling up.
Watch the video below:
The late equaliser left the players dejected as they headed back to Liverpool. Slot’s decisions, particularly in defence, have drawn scrutiny, though the manager has defended Konate after criticism for his performance.
Liverpool struggled to adapt once Leeds introduced their more agile attackers. Neville noted the nine minutes of added time unnerved the squad, creating tension on the sidelines with coaching staff seemingly frantic.
This disarray contributed to the critical mistakes that allowed Tanaka’s equaliser. Despite the chaos, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai stood out, with Szoboszlai scoring to temporarily restore Liverpool’s lead before the dramatic finish.
The result comes amid growing questions over squad management and player satisfaction. Mohamed Salah has publicly reflected on his situation at Liverpool following the match, raising concerns about team morale and long-term player contentment. The defensive lapses, coupled with unsettled stars, suggest a club in need of urgent cohesion and leadership.
Neville concluded that Liverpool are in a very dark place, with confidence and trust among players fading rapidly. The team’s challenge now is to recover mentally and strategically before upcoming fixtures, while Slot faces growing pressure to stabilise the squad and restore the calm that characterised their title-winning campaign.
This match is a stark reminder that even champions are vulnerable to a rapid decline if defensive errors persist and squad confidence is shaken. How Liverpool responds in the next fixtures will be critical to salvaging their season and maintaining credibility in the Premier League.
