Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool lapse following Leeds comeback | OneFootball

Arne Slot defended Ibrahima Konate after the Liverpool defender gave away a penalty that sparked Leeds United’s comeback at Elland Road on Saturday night. 

Huge Ekitike put the Reds two goals up with a quickfire brace shortly after the halftime break, but the Whites were able to pull one back in the 73rd minute.

Konate clumsily fouled Wilfred Gnonto in the box and, after referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot following a review at the pitchside monitor, Dominic Calcvert-Lewin converted from twelve yards out.

Anton Stach equalised just minutes laters, but Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool back ahead late on. However, impact sub Ao Tanaka ensured Leeds took a massive point from the game when he scored in the 96th minute from a corner.

Slot admitted that the blame lies completely at Liverpool’s door for not closing out the game.

“It’s not the first time we’ve dropped points,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s not the first time we have conceded a goal in the last minute. It’s not the first time we have conceded a set-piece. I think everyone can understand what the mood was in the dressing room.

“I don’t think we conceded any chance until we were 2-0 up. The penalty wasn’t a chance but we made it a chance because it led to a penalty, with a VAR intervention one more time.

“So 2-1, then maybe their first chance of the game led to 2-2. We showed mentality to go 3-2 up. I think after that we had control. Of course, there’s always the long ball, second ball, which you can’t always make sure it doesn’t happen.

“And then a set-piece comes in nine minutes of extra time and they score. That is part of our season. But the ones to blame are us. We concede these chances.”

Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool lapse following Leeds comeback

Slot insisted that Konate made an honest mistake in giving away the penalty as the centre-back tried to block Gnonto’s cross into the box.

“What you can say is he tries to do everything to prevent a cross from coming. If you want to call it a mistake, it’s a mistake from hard work and trying.

“There was contact, that’s for sure. He was already on his way, going to the floor, but again we should look at ourselves.”

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