Good Morning. It's Wednesday 10th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Slot still fuming after Leeds comeback
Arne Slot has admitted he is still nursing a sense of frustration after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road last weekend. The reigning champions seemed in full control, racing into a 2-0 lead, only to be pegged back in stunning fashion. Leeds completed their spirited comeback with virtually the last kick of the game, denying Liverpool all three points. Slot, speaking after the Reds’ 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro, made it clear that the events in Yorkshire remain fresh in his mind. “If you are talking about the 3-3 against Leeds, then yes we are relieved tonight,” he told Amazon Prime.
Reflecting on the match, Slot suggested that the score-line flattered Leeds. “We hardly conceded a chance against Leeds, so for them to score three goals was disappointing for the lads. They were devastated to concede that goal in the last minute,” he said. According to Slot, Leeds goals came from a penalty, a set-piece, and a 'single' well-worked move, far from the sustained pressure one might expect from a team scoring three times.
It is clear that while the midweek win over AC Milan provided some measure of relief, Slot’s lingering disappointment from Elland Road is a reminder of how costly late lapses can be, as Leeds know all too well. Four of their 29 goals conceded this season have come in 91st minute or later, including Foden's winner for Manchester City, and Gudmundsson's own goal at Fulham, which, had they held on for a few minutes later would have given Leeds and extra two points on the board.
Leeds pair walking suspension tightrope
Leeds United face a delicate balancing act over the coming weeks, with both Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle walking the suspension tightrope. The pair have each picked up four yellow cards so far this season, meaning they are just one booking away from triggering a one-match ban under Premier League rules. Between match day one and match day 19, any player who accumulates five yellow cards faces an automatic suspension, making the next four fixtures crucial for the duo. If they can get past the high-profile clash against Liverpool on 1 January without adding another caution to their record, the threshold will then rise to 10 bookings before match day 32, significantly reducing the immediate risk.
Bogle has been an ever-present in the league campaign to date, racking up an impressive 1,319 minutes on the pitch, while the skipper has only missed two starts due to injury. Their consistency and influence have been key to Leeds’ recent resurgence in form, and losing either player during the busy festive schedule would be a major blow. With matches coming thick and fast, squad rotation will be tested, and suspensions could disrupt the rhythm that the team has worked so hard to find. For manager Daniel Farke, keeping both men on the right side of the law could prove as important as any tactical decision during this pivotal stretch of the season.
