'Still have goosebumps!' - Leeds United scorer's instant reaction to Liverpool fightback and Elland Road chaos
Midfielder Anton Stach scored Leeds United's second goal in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Saturday.
Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach admits the raucous Elland Road atmosphere helped his side fight back twice to secure a point against Liverpool.
The Whites came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 at home to the reigning Premier League champions, with Stach one of three different goalscorers. His sharp finish made it 2-2 just minutes after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty, with the quickfire double cancelling out Hugo Ekitike’s brace.
Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool 3-2 ahead with 10 minutes to go but six minutes into added-time, Stach’s deep corner fell to substitute Ao Tanaka who finished well to make it 3-3. Leeds looked dead and buried at 2-0 down but the 6ft 4ins German midfielder believes the penalty kicked Elland Road back into gear.
“I think everybody saw it today, look at the atmosphere, it’s unbelievable,” Stach told Sky Sports. “These moments are why we play football. I still have goosebumps! It's so great that today we took a point after such a performance.
“100 per cent [the penalty helped]. Before it was tough, Liverpool had amazing quality on the ball and we suffered a lot. The two goals after half-time were too late but it's a big strength of ours that we come back against the champions of last year and take a point. Of course it was because of the atmosphere after the penalty.
“I think of course you are tired, 2-0 down against such good opposition but you score and when the crowd is so loud and in your head there's a switch and then you can run more and go into the duels with everybody with you. It's the whole city.”
Anton Stach on Leeds United’s four-point week
The draw caps off a brilliant week at Elland Road for Leeds, who beat Champions League outfit Chelsea 3-1 on Wednesday. Daniel Farke’s side also fought from 2-0 down to draw level at 2-2 against Manchester City before losing, showing in three straight games they can mix it with the Premier League big boys.
Leeds will be more than pleased with a four-point haul from games against Chelsea and Liverpool, a return which has seen them climb from the relegation zone to 16th. Stach is certainly happy with how the past few days have gone but insists he and his teammates must keep fighting for every available point.
“I think it's great to take four points,” the midfielder admitted. “Against Man City we were a bit unlucky but against such good sides, four points are great. The most important thing is we keep consistent, keep going like this, just fighting for every point that's the most important.”