Tanaka's last-gasp equaliser heaps more misery on Slot

It was a pivotal week for a manager who required results to quell talk about his position.

- RICHARD JOLLY

He got two goals in swift succession, a show of spirit in a comeback and late drama to leave his side celebrating. For much of an astonishing second half, it felt like that would be Arne Slot. Instead, it was Daniel Farke.

Leeds conjured not one fightback but two, gave a third supposed superpower a scare in the last eight days and underlined that they have the right man in the dugout. Liverpool? Gifted goals, seemingly set for victory at first 2-0 and 3-2, they instead illustrated their defensive shortcomings. “There's a sense of disbelief,” said Slot. “We're the only ones to blame. To go away with a 3-3, I don't think that's what we deserved.” And if that is a bit contradictory, if Liverpool think they merit more than they are getting, they continue to hinder their own efforts.

They have at least gone three league games unbeaten, which would scarcely have sounded an achievement until they lost six out of seven, but on a day when they could have ended up fifth in the standings - which may have refuted the truism that the league table never lies - they demonstrated their failings and their fallibility.