Daniel Farke’s latest big result at Leeds United was a stunning 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool, as he benefitted from more proactive game management.
Leeds’ intense week remained at boiling point throughout an incredible second half performance against Liverpool on Saturday evening.
Having disptched of Chelsea in emphatic style, Leeds forced comeback at home to the champions to make it a four-point week for Daniel Farke.
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Daniel Farke sparks Leeds United turnaround through proactive game management again
A key gripe of mine, and most Leeds fans, regarding Farke’s recent struggles and the calls for him to be sacked was his inability to affect games before it’s too late.
Subs were too late, in my opinion, and games got out of our reach before he turned to his bench. But, since Man City, that’s all changed for the better.
Leeds United’s performance against Liverpool flipped thanks to inspired subs. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
Against Liverpool, the game looked to have been ripped away from us in an instant after half-time as Hugo Ekitike pounced on two mistakes to make it 2-0. Farke’s response came on the 65th minute: a triple sub and change to a 4-3-3.
As a result, Leeds were given a new lease of life with Willy Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson pulling the strings, both teeing up goals to draw level.
Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s lead, only for the third sub Ao Tanaka to equalise deep in added time for a huge point.
Brenden Aaronson outclasses £116m Florian Wirtz in stunning Leeds United display
Instrumental to Leeds’ fightback was one of Aaronson’s best performances in a Leeds shirt, in my opinion.
Weirdly from the South Stand, I could hear plenty of audible boos at the point of his introduction off the bench. He’s been criticised a lot recently. To me, one of the biggest symptoms of Farke’s unwillingness to adapt was retaining the out-of-form American.
It’s one thing being unhappy with his performances and place in the lineup. It’s another thing booing a player who is clearly putting a huge shift in constantly.
However, he was incredible against Liverpool. From the moment he came on, he injected enthusiasm into Leeds’ approach play. He added drive on the ball, connecting well with fellow sub Gnonto.
In getting his second assist of the season, on top of one goal, Aaronson firmly put his opposite number, £116million Florian Wirtz in his place. The German showed flashes of technical prowess during his 68 minutes on the pitch. But, he was largely ineffective and unable to open his account of zero goals and zero assist in the Premier League.
As an impact sub off the bench, and part of a change in shape, Farke may have found a much better way of getting the best out of Aaronson. Instead of the attacking midfielder struggling out of position, his intensity as fresh legs stood out massively.
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