Ao Tanaka equalised six minutes into second-half stoppage time as Leeds United recovered from 2-0 and then 3-2 down to salvage a dramatic 3-3 draw with Liverpool.

Arne Slot's misfiring champions looked to have the match won on two occasions, only to let two points - and fifth place in the Premier League - slip through their grasp at a raucous Elland Road.

How the match unfolded

Liverpool was lacklustre for much of the first half but did go close on two occasions, with Curtis Jones' curler bouncing off the crossbar and Virgil van Dijk nodding over from Szoboszlai's free-kick.

They went ahead in the 48th minute, though, with Hugo Ekitike finishing in composed fashion after intercepting Joe Rodon's terrible pass.

Ekitike doubled up two minutes later. Conor Bradley dispossessed Gabriel Gudmundsson before firing in a low cross, with the Frenchman staying onside to bundle home.

But Leeds received a 73rd-minute lifeline when Ibrahima Konate recklessly scythed Wilfried Gnonto down near the byline. The spot-kick was awarded following a VAR review, and Calvert-Lewin converted confidently.

And the hosts were level in the 75th minute as Stach cut in from the left side of the area under little pressure before powering home.

Szoboszlai looked to have spared Liverpool's blushes when he finished across Lucas Perri, but there was one final twist to come as Stach's late corner squirmed through to Tanaka, who made no mistake.

Slot searching for answers after double capitulation

Though the more positive members of Liverpool's fanbase could view Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland as a point gained after falling behind, it was a case of two points lost on Saturday.

With Mohamed Salah benched for the third straight game, Liverpool lacked penetration in the first half, but they got a huge slice of luck when Rodon errantly passed across his own defence and let Ekitike in to score, and another when Gudmundsson's giveaway made it a quickfire double for the striker.

But if Leeds' defence was in the mood for giving out early Christmas gifts, Liverpool's rearguard was even more generous.

Both Van Dijk and Konate have struggled this season, and the latter was arguably at fault for Leeds' first two goals. He senselessly chopped Gnonto down when the Italian was heading down a cul-de-sac for the penalty, then backed off Stach and gave him the freedom of the box for the hosts' first equaliser.

It looked as though Szoboszlai was going to have the final say, but Liverpool defended a set-piece dreadfully in added time and were duly punished.

They have now won just two of their last 10 Premier League games, with a tough UEFA Champions League trip to Inter awaiting them on Tuesday. Brighton and Hove Albion then visit Anfield four days later.

Farke's changes make the difference again

Wednesday's 3-1 win over Chelsea was precisely the statement result that Daniel Farke needed after a run of four straight Premier League defeats left the Leeds boss under pressure.

Farke switched from his preferred 4-3-3 system to a 5-3-2 formation at half-time in their prior 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, and with the strapping strike duo of Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha both on target in the second half, he stuck with the same shape against Chelsea.

Leeds' direct approach paid dividends against the Blues, too, though a hamstring injury suffered by Nmecha ruled him out of this match.

But when Leeds found themselves two goals down here, Farke reverted to a four-man backline, introducing Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson and Tanaka in the 65th minute.

Each of the hosts' three goals involved one of the trio. Gnonto's run to the byline resulted in the penalty that brought the contest back to life, while Aaronson's clever reverse pass teed up Stach to make it 2-2. Tanaka then popped up with an opportunistic finish at the death, firing through a mass of bodies on the line.

Leeds' home form was always likely to be decisive in their battle to stay in the top flight, and a return of four points from two games against Chelsea and Liverpool should give them a major confidence boost.

They are on the road next week, facing Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. (premierleague.com)

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