Leeds United could not have wished for a more frustrating way to open the new season against Portsmouth.
The Whites were utterly dominant for virtually the whole 90 minutes yet were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw thanks to a 95th minute equaliser from Brenden Aaronson.
Daniel Farke’s team opened the encounter like a train, hitting the same piece of woodwork three times in the first seven minutes before Pascal Struijk’s goal.
Elias Sorensen and Callum Lang scored the away side’s only two efforts on goal in the first half, putting them ahead 2-1 at halftime, with Wilfried Gnonto equalising a minute later.
However, the drama did not end there, as Aaronson wasted a golden opportunity to win it just moments later.
Illan Meslier has just demonstrated that he is Leeds’ liability this season.
Given the chances they produced, Leeds could have easily won 4-0.
However, it is not the lost opportunities that are the most concerning, but rather the fact that they conceded three goals against a team with few attacks.
Portsmouth had four shots on goal throughout the game, with the only one that did not go in coming from the halfway line, which was comfortable for Illan Meslier.
With that in mind, fingers must be directed at Meslier, especially for the opening goal. Leeds were leading at the time, but his error allowed Portsmouth to re-enter the game.
Sorensen’s shot had decent power, but it is no excuse. It was directly in front of Meslier, and once he got his hands on it, he had no choice but to keep it out.
Meslier was statistically one of the worst shot-stoppers in the Championship last season, and it does not appear that this will change anytime soon.
Portsmouth scored three goals with an expected goals (xG) of 0.89, the majority of which came from penalties.
The best goalkeepers are those who can make crucial saves when they don’t have much to work with, something Meslier lacks. Not good enough.
Leeds should’ve pursued a Meslier upgrade this summer.
Many people realized at the close of last season that goalkeeper was a position that needed to be improved, but Farke appears to have overlooked this.
Meslier had a’really shaky’ end to the 2023/24 season, and Leeds may have improved with a more confident presence behind the defence.
Though there are still three weeks left in the window, it does not appear that Leeds will make a move anytime soon, given that he has been chosen vice-captain.
More performances like today, however, will simply raise more questions about him.
