Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke did not hold back in his assessment of Lucas Perri after the goalkeeper’s late error proved decisive in a dramatic 4-3 defeat away at Newcastle United.
It marked the second time in four days that Farke has publicly criticised his summer signing, with scrutiny on Perri intensifying as Leeds’ unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.
Late mistake proves costly
Leeds were left crestfallen after conceding the latest winning goal in Premier League history, with Harvey Barnes’ strike in the 102nd minute squeezing under Perri’s arm despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
The error followed another costly moment on Sunday, when Farke blamed Perri for Manchester United’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road after the Brazilian misjudged his position coming off his line.
Wednesday night’s defeat was Leeds’ first loss in eight matches, and the second time this season they have lost a Premier League game despite holding the lead on three separate occasions.
Farke: “You should save this”
While Farke praised his side’s overall performance, he was visibly frustrated when discussing the decisive moment.
“We know that normally, if you touch the ball — it was not really like a strong strike — you should save this,” Farke said.
Pressed on whether Perri’s place is now under threat, the Leeds boss stopped short of confirming any immediate decision but made his disappointment clear.
“Right now, after the game, I won’t make a general judgment of where he stands or what I will do in the next game,” he explained. “It would be far too emotional — but it’s also important, I can’t lie.
“It’s not like I can say he was man of the match or produced unbelievable saves. Sometimes, in a crucial moment, you need a proper save from your goalkeeper.”
Public criticism unavoidable
Farke admitted he felt compelled to be honest, even if that meant leaving his goalkeeper exposed to criticism.
“Today was definitely a situation where you should save the ball,” he continued. “I can’t lie and pretend it would be a different scenario, because otherwise he wouldn’t believe me anymore.
“I name it how I see it. Sadly, I can’t protect him from the criticism that he should have — he should have saved it.”
However, Farke was keen to shut down further discussion about Perri’s future in the immediate aftermath.
“We don’t have to speak in general about the situation right now,” he added. “I’ve spoken in the past a lot about goalkeepers anyway, so definitely nothing for the press conference straight after.”
A delicate moment for Leeds
From recent performances, Leeds’ attacking intent and resilience have been clear, but Farke’s comments underline how fine margins are proving costly at Premier League level. Goalkeeper reliability is now emerging as a pressing concern, particularly in tight matches decided late.
Whether Farke opts for change or continues to back Perri will be one of the key talking points ahead of Leeds’ next fixture.
Key insights
- Lucas Perri criticised for second decisive error in four days
- Leeds lost 4-3 to Newcastle with 102nd-minute winner
- Farke says the shot “should have been saved”
- First Leeds defeat in eight Premier League games
- Goalkeeper position now under scrutiny
What’s next?
Leeds United must quickly regroup after a bruising defeat, but attention will inevitably focus on team selection for the next match. Farke faces a balancing act between honesty, protection of his players and the need for results.
Should Daniel Farke persist with Lucas Perri — or is it time for Leeds to make a change in goal?
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