Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted his side were solely responsible for surrendering another two Premier League points after a dramatic 3–3 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Liverpool twice appeared in control of the contest. A first-half brace from Hugo Ekitike put the visitors 2–0 ahead, and even after Leeds battled back to level at 2–2, Dominik Szoboszlai restored the Reds’ advantage.
But their persistent frailties at defending set pieces proved costly yet again, as Ao Tanaka struck from a corner deep into stoppage time to deny Liverpool victory.
The result extends Liverpool’s poor run of form: only two wins in their last ten Premier League matches and four in 15 across all competitions—pressure that continues to mount on Slot despite his title-winning first season at Liverpool FC.
“It’s not the first time we’ve dropped points, not the first time we’ve conceded late, and not the first time from a set piece,” Slot said after the match. “The only ones to blame are ourselves. If you score three goals, it should be enough to win—especially when we allow so few chances.”
Slot again left Mohamed Salah on the bench for the third straight league game and opted not to introduce him at all. Club-record signing Alexander Isak was also omitted from the starting XI, though Slot’s decision to select Ekitike over the Swedish striker was vindicated by the Frenchman’s performance.
Salah is expected to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after Liverpool’s next two fixtures, and Slot declined to discuss the long-term future of the club’s third-highest goalscorer.
“Today I felt we needed different profiles to see out the game,” the Dutchman said when asked about his decision not to bring Salah on. “We have to accept the situation we’re in. His short-term future is AFCON, but before that we play Inter Milan and Brighton & Hove Albion.”
