Liverpool manager Arne Slot has broken his silence following his team's dramatic and disappointing 3-3 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday, December 6. The Reds squandered a two-goal lead and were denied a crucial victory by a 96th-minute equaliser from Leeds substitute Ao Tanaka.
Elland Road Thriller Ends in Stoppage Time Heartbreak
The match at Elland Road was a rollercoaster of emotions for both sets of fans. After a goalless first half, Liverpool's French striker Hugo Ekitike broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and doubled the lead just two minutes later, seemingly putting the champions in a commanding position.
However, the home side mounted a stunning comeback. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty in the 73rd minute after a foul by Ibrahima Konate, and Anton Stach levelled the scores at 2-2 merely three minutes later.
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had won it for the visitors with a goal ten minutes from time, but the drama was not over. Deep into stoppage time, Ao Tanaka struck to secure a 3-3 draw for Leeds, leaving Liverpool frustrated and stuck outside the top five.
Slot's Controversial Call on Salah
The most talked-about decision of the night was Arne Slot's choice not to bring on Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, even as Liverpool sought to protect their narrow lead. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the Dutch coach explained his reasoning.
"We were 2-0 up, and later we were 3-2 up. I think it was, at that moment in time, more about controlling the game," Slot stated. "We didn't need a goal at that moment. Normally when you need a goal, like against Sunderland, I brought Mo in. Today, it felt to me that we needed different players like Wataru Endo."
Slot defended his choice to bring on the defensive midfielder, saying, "I brought him in many times when we needed to bring a win over the line." He added that Endo's performance was not at fault for the late concession.
A Recurring Problem for the Reds
Slot admitted this was not an isolated incident for his team this season, highlighting a concerning pattern. "It's not the first time we've dropped points. It's not the first time we have conceded a goal in the last minute. It's not the first time we have conceded from a set-piece," he said via This is Anfield.
The manager acknowledged the sombre mood in the dressing room, a clear reflection of two points lost in the most agonising fashion.
The decision to omit Salah sparked immediate and fierce reaction from fans online. One supporter argued that while Salah's form has dipped, he should still be used if the team is winning. Another fan offered a scathing analogy, comparing the move to "ejecting the pilot mid-flight because you want more legroom." A third critic suggested that trying to control the game with Endo instead of Salah was like "trying to win a Formula 1 race with the handbrake on."
The result adds pressure on Slot, who recently had to address rumours about his future following a heavy Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven. For Liverpool, the search for consistency continues after another costly lapse in concentration at a critical moment.
