New Year’s Day at Anfield was supposed to be a launchpad for Liverpool’s ambitions, but instead, it turned into a frustrating afternoon as the Reds were held to a goalless draw by a resolute Leeds United side. The 0-0 result, played out before a packed house in Liverpool, leaves Arne Slot’s men still in fourth place in the Premier League—now trailing league leaders Arsenal by a daunting 12 points. For Leeds, the outcome was a precious point, opening up a seven-point cushion above the relegation zone and extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Both clubs came into the contest riding waves of positive momentum. Liverpool had won three straight Premier League matches, most recently leaping over Chelsea with a victory against Wolves on December 27, 2025. Leeds, meanwhile, hadn’t tasted defeat since November 29, stringing together two wins and three draws to finish 2025 six points clear of the bottom three. The anticipation was palpable as fans and pundits alike wondered: would Liverpool’s firepower overwhelm Leeds, or could the visitors’ newfound resilience hold firm?
Arne Slot’s lineup offered few surprises, with Alisson in goal, Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, and Robertson forming the back line, and Gravenberch and Jones anchoring the midfield. The attacking trio featured Frimpong, Szoboszlai, and Wirtz, supporting Ekitiké up front. Injuries, however, continued to bite. Key players like Alexander Isak, Joe Gomez, Mohamed Salah (away on international duty at AFCON), Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic were all unavailable. Slot’s concerns about squad depth were no secret. As he lamented before kickoff, injuries had “hampered his ability to change games with substitutions—a defining feature of last season’s title-winning campaign.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, facing his own selection headaches, opted for a defensive 5-4-1 setup. Lucas Perri started in goal and would go on to be named player of the match. The back five included James Justin, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. In midfield, Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Brenden Aaronson supported lone striker Lucas Nmecha. Notably, ex-Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a recent scoring threat, was benched, with Farke keeping one eye on Leeds’ upcoming clash against Manchester United.
From the opening whistle, Liverpool dominated possession, ending the game with a commanding 69% share and firing off 19 shots to Leeds’ 4. Yet, for all their control, the Reds struggled to break down the visitors’ well-organized defense. Leeds sat deep in their own half, content to absorb pressure and frustrate the home crowd. The first half offered glimpses of promise for Liverpool. Hugo Ekitiké, who had netted five goals in his previous four league outings, was hauled down in the box by Jaka Bijol inside 15 minutes, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away penalty appeals. Moments later, Florian Wirtz’s shot was blocked by Justin—an early sign of the defensive battle to come.
Chances were at a premium. Ekitiké managed to get on the end of a Frimpong cross, only to send his header wildly wide. Frimpong, preferred to Federico Chiesa in the absence of Salah, was lively down the right flank, but his creative efforts found no finish. Liverpool’s best spell came in the closing stages of the first half, with Van Dijk heading over from a corner and Alisson nearly gifting Leeds a chance with a rare errant pass. Still, the score remained stubbornly level at the break.
Halftime statistics told the story: Liverpool had 66% possession, 9 shots (3 on target), and a single big chance, while Leeds mustered just 2 efforts on goal. Yet, the visitors’ discipline and organization were clear. As the second half unfolded, Leeds grew in confidence, emboldened by Liverpool’s inability to find a cutting edge. Slot responded with a flurry of substitutions, bringing on Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo in the 66th minute, and later introducing Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha. Despite these changes—including a World Cup winner and a £40 million summer signing—Liverpool’s attack remained blunt.
Leeds, meanwhile, looked to hit on the counter. The introduction of Noah Okafor and Calvert-Lewin injected some urgency, and the latter did have the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside. Still, Leeds rarely threatened Alisson, who was largely untroubled after an early scare. The Brazilian keeper, searching for his 100th Premier League clean sheet, earned Liverpool’s highest player rating (8.0), while Konaté (7.9) and Van Dijk (7.4) marshaled the defense effectively.
For all their endeavor, Liverpool’s attacking players struggled. Szoboszlai, restored to his favored attacking midfield role, “forced one of his least effective displays of the season,” while Wirtz’s confidence seemed to evaporate after a recent goal drought. Ekitiké’s honesty—failing to appeal for a penalty—perhaps cost Liverpool dearly in the first half. Substitute ratings were underwhelming, with none able to change the game’s complexion.
After the final whistle, the mood at Anfield was somber. The home fans, who had watched their side dominate but fail to score, voiced their frustration. Pundit Jamie Carragher summed it up: “Liverpool are on a decent run but performances will have to improve in the second half of the season to make sure Liverpool play in the Champions League next season.” Slot’s own worries about squad depth were laid bare, with the inability to impact the game from the bench a clear issue.
For Leeds, it was a point hard-earned. The traveling supporters celebrated a result that not only extended their unbeaten streak but also pushed them further clear of relegation danger. Lucas Perri’s heroics in goal, combined with disciplined defending from Bornauw, Bijol, and Struijk, earned the visitors a deserved share of the spoils. Farke’s decision to rest Calvert-Lewin paid off, with Leeds now looking ahead to a crucial fixture against Manchester United.
Statistically, Liverpool’s dominance was clear: 19 shots to Leeds’ 4, 8 corners to 3, and a passing accuracy of 87%. But football isn’t played on spreadsheets, and the Reds’ lack of clinical finishing cost them dearly. Leeds, with just 31% possession and 2 shots on target, executed their game plan to perfection.
The result leaves Liverpool with work to do if they’re to close the gap on Arsenal and secure Champions League football. For Leeds, this gritty draw is another step toward safety in their return to the top flight. As the Premier League calendar flips to 2026, both sides know there’s plenty of drama—and improvement—ahead.
