Liverpool and Leeds United rang in the new year with a Premier League clash at Anfield on January 1, 2026, but the fireworks stayed firmly off the pitch as both sides battled to a goalless draw. The 0-0 result marked the first time in 117 league matches that Liverpool had been involved in a scoreless stalemate, underlining just how rare such an outcome is for the Reds—especially at home. For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the frustration was palpable, while Daniel Farke’s Leeds left Merseyside with a hard-earned point that could prove vital in their fight to avoid relegation.
It’s been an erratic campaign for both teams. Liverpool, despite sitting fourth in the table as the calendar flipped to 2026, have been plagued by inconsistency and a shocking defensive record for a top-four contender—26 goals conceded and just five clean sheets in 18 league outings. Yet, somehow, they remain within striking distance of Champions League qualification. Leeds, meanwhile, have found themselves hovering just above the drop zone in 16th place, two points clear of danger. Results haven’t been disastrous, but the Whites have struggled to turn gritty performances into wins, a trend that continued at Anfield.
This match came only weeks after the two teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road—a game full of attacking verve and defensive frailty. This time, though, the contest was defined by defensive discipline. Leeds set out their stall to frustrate Liverpool, and their plan worked to perfection. As Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports noted, “Leeds’ plan worked a treat.” The visitors focused on defending in numbers, closing down space, and making life difficult for Liverpool’s attackers. The result? A game short on clear-cut chances but long on tension.
Liverpool lined up with Alisson in goal, protected by a back four of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones provided energy and passing, while Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz supported lone striker Hugo Ekitiké. Leeds countered with Lucas Perri between the sticks, a defense marshaled by Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, and Pascal Struijk, and a midfield packed with James Justin, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Anton Stach, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. Brenden Aaronson and Lukas Nmecha led the line in a fluid 3-5-2 formation.
From the opening whistle, Leeds signaled their intent. The away side started brightly, with Aaronson and Nmecha pressing high and causing early problems for Van Dijk and company. Liverpool, missing several key players through injury and international duty—including Alexander Isak, Joe Gomez, Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic—struggled to find rhythm in attack. For Leeds, absentees like Joe Rodon, Sean Longstaff, and Daniel James meant their bench was stretched thin, but the starting eleven showed no sign of intimidation.
Despite their defensive setup, Leeds were not without threat. In the first half, Liverpool’s best chances fell to Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz. Ekitiké, a constant menace, found himself on the end of a teasing cross from Frimpong but could only head wide from close range—surely a moment he’ll want back. Wirtz also went close, only to be denied by a magnificent last-ditch block from James Justin. “Incredible block to deny Wirtz!” wrote Prince-Wright, capturing the sense of disbelief that Liverpool hadn’t found a way through.
Leeds, for their part, nearly capitalized on a rare Alisson error when the Liverpool keeper passed straight to Ethan Ampadu, but the Leeds midfielder’s shot lacked the venom to punish the hosts. Later, Ilia Gruev had two decent chances in stoppage time, first seeing a shot blocked and then firing the rebound over the bar. At the other end, Van Dijk had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock with a free header from a corner, but his effort bounced wide of the post.
As the match wore on, both managers turned to their benches in search of inspiration. Liverpool introduced Rio Ngumoha for Frimpong, Federico Chiesa for Bradley, Alexis Mac Allister for Jones, Cody Gakpo for Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez for Robertson. Leeds responded with Ao Tanaka for Gruev, Jayden Bogle for the injured Bornauw, Noah Okafor for Aaronson, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin—who had scored in each of his last six Premier League games—for Nmecha. Calvert-Lewin thought he’d continued his hot streak with a smart finish at the near post, but the flag was up for offside and VAR confirmed the decision.
The game was punctuated by fouls and stoppages, with both sides showing signs of fatigue as the minutes ticked by. Ethan Ampadu’s booking means he’ll miss Leeds’ next crucial fixture against Manchester United, a blow for Farke’s side as they look to maintain their unbeaten run—now at six games. Liverpool, meanwhile, stretched their own unbeaten streak to eight in all competitions, but this result will feel like two points dropped rather than one gained. “Liverpool should have created more and forced the issue more against Leeds as they seemed to be scared to take risks,” observed Prince-Wright, highlighting the sense of missed opportunity for the Reds.
Defensively, Liverpool looked more assured than in recent weeks—a testament to Slot’s efforts to shore up the back line after a shaky start to the season. But the lack of attacking urgency and dynamism is becoming a worrying trend. Ekitiké, isolated up front, tried his best to spark something, but the service and support simply weren’t there. “Liverpool’s stodgy attacking play is becoming more common,” wrote Prince-Wright, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment after another toothless display.
For Leeds, the draw represents another step in the right direction. Farke’s men have now gone six league games unbeaten and have shown they can dig in and get results, even when the odds are stacked against them. With 21 points on the board and a crucial clash with Manchester United looming, Leeds will take plenty of positives from their disciplined performance at Anfield.
As the final whistle blew and the fourth official signaled six minutes of added time, neither side could find the breakthrough. Both teams now turn their attention to their next fixtures: Liverpool travel to Fulham, while Leeds welcome their bitter rivals from Manchester. The story of this match? Defensive resilience, missed chances, and a reminder that sometimes, even in the Premier League, the scoreboard refuses to budge.
