Liverpool 0 Leeds United 0: Big first as rock solid Whites extend run amid changes and key figure blow — YEP 1/1/26

By Lee Sobot

Leeds United’s first game of 2026 took them to Anfield for a New Year’s Day showdown against Premier League champions Liverpool.

Leeds United extended their unbeaten run to six games as a rock solid defensive display helped Daniel Farke’s side to a goalless draw in the New Year’s Day clash against defending Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield.

Leeds came into the contest on a five-game unbeaten run and recorded a first clean sheet since August and a first of the season away from home.

Boss Farke made major changes to his team including resting Dominic Calvert-Lewin who dropped to the bench but his side produced a rock solid display with James Justin particularly good at the back.

The point, though, did come amid a big suspension blow, captain Ethan Ampadu picking up a fifth booking of the season which lands the skipper a one-match ban for Sunday’s visit of Manchester United to Elland Road.

Leeds made a decent enough start, threatening with a few forays into the box and a couple of corners but Jaka Bijol's weak header that was easily saved by Allison Becker was the best it got in terms of attempts.

Liverpool gradually began to threaten themselves with Hugo Ekitike looking particularly menacing, the Reds striker creating space for a shot from a tight angle after going round Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Whites keeper Lucas Perri saved the effort but not convincingly, fumbling the ball towards the path of Florian Wirtz but eventually smothering the ball at the second attempt.

A fine Ibrahima Konate ball over the top then had Ekitike in behind Bijol but Bijol stuck with Ekitike who was unable to get a shot away and wanted a penalty with Bijol all over the back of him.

Ekitike stayed on his feet and laid the ball off to Wirtz who looked set to score but the German was thwarted by a brilliant tackle from James Justin.

A weak low shot from Curtis Jones was then easily saved but Liverpool then gifted Leeds a potential opening as Alisson's poor clearance fell straight to Ethan Ampadu who was unable to get much power in his low shot from the edge of the area that Alisson was able to save.

Back came Liverpool and a big Reds chance was squandered as a powerful cross from Jeremie Frimpong picked out Ekitike but the striker's header flew away from goal and bounced off keeper Perri as Leeds survived.

After the Whites again made inroads towards Liverpool's box, another Reds half chance was squandered as Virgil van Dijk sent a header over the bar.

In first half stoppage time, a Reds corner was then cleared to the far post to Wirtz but the German sliced a poor shot behind for a goal kick and it proved the last real attempt of a goalless first half.

There were no changes during the break, after which Liverpool wasted an early opening as Wirtz attempted a backheeled pass in the box which allowed Leeds to clear and survive early pressure.

The Whites then began to cause problems again themselves but Bradley twice threatened for the Reds as two efforts from the full-back were deflected behind for corners which Leeds survived.

After more neat passing from the Whites, an important tackle from Ampadu stopped Ekitike in his tracks as he seized upon a loose ball and his way towards the box.

Moments later, a low drive from Dominik Szoboszlai was beaten away by Perri and the Reds wasted a free-kick awarded for an Ampadu handball as Wirtz sent his shot into the wall.

After a triple change from Reds boss Arne Slot, Liverpool went close as Van Dijk’s downward header from a corner flew wide, after which Whites boss Daniel Farke brought on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor as Nmecha and Aaronson were taken off.

Leeds were still holding firm and Ekitike tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box which flew wide as the clock neared the 75-minute marker. Moments later, a big block from Ampadu stopped a strong drive from substitute Cody Gakpo.

Leeds, though, were still causing problems themselves and Calvert-Lewin looked to have fired the Whites ahead in the 81st minute after netting from close range following a Bornauw flick but the striker was offside.

Bornauw had become injured and was replaced by Jayden Bogle but Leeds again went close shortly after as a cross from Ilia Gruev flew through the box and away to safety.

Liverpool began to turn the screw as the game headed towards stoppage time but strong and resilient defending kept the Reds at bay.