Liverpool started the new year with another disappointing result against a side fighting to stay above the relegation zone, with a second successive draw against Leeds.
Liverpool 0-0 Leeds
Premier League (19) | Anfield
January 1, 2026
Alisson – 6 (out of 10)
The maker of his own trouble in the first half with a woeful outside-of-the-foot pass into the middle of the ground finding Ethan Ampadu, luckily it was a tame effort he could save.
Had little else to do apart from keeping warm for the majority of the match.
Conor Bradley – 6
A second start across the last five games for Bradley and he showed promising signs of a connection with Frimpong with his overlapping runs.
Had bursts of energy driving forward, including another header in the six-yard box, but his decision-making could have been better, he rushed when he had the time to settle, though he was not the only guilty party.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
If you’re comparing his performance to the reverse fixture, this was a lot more assured from Konate.
In the air and on the ground, the Frenchman was unbeatable, winning all 10 of the duels he contested and not giving Leeds the red carpet they received last time.
Another promising performance to build on.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Was asked to do his fair share of work in the air and, unsurprisingly, dealt with it well.
Had a big chance to score from a corner unmarked, but sent his header wide and, like us all, had his head in his hands in frustration.
Andy Robertson – 6
Robertson appears to fade in and out of Slot’s consciousness, with this his first league start since Sunderland‘s visit at the start of December.
Delivered some quality balls into the box, but guilty of being offside and stunting what was already slow build up play.
Hooked just after the hour mark, meaning he has completed 90 minutes in the league this season only once.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
The Dutchman was kept busy sweeping up in the middle of the pitch, more so in the second half as Leeds became more adventurous, and he became more settled as a result.
Positioned himself well to intercept and help Liverpool control the match, making a game-high 11 recoveries, but needs to take fewer touches when progressing the ball to aid in his side’s creativity.
Curtis Jones – 6
Was the main distributor in midfield during his 66 minutes on the pitch, with only Van Dijk (69) making more passes before Jones (56) left the pitch.
Created the joint-most chances (2) but could have done more to help Liverpool speed up ball their ball movement to unsettle Leeds.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Back after suspension and started like he had 12 days between games, noticeably a little off tempo in possession and out of it too, which is not what we’ve been used to saying this season.
He was dribbled past more than any other player on the night (4), so this was certainly an outlier.
Delivered the corner his captain ought to have scored and was asked to play at right-back once more to close out the match, he was the third player in the position on the night.
Jeremie Frimpong – 8 (Man of the Match)
For the first time in his Liverpool career, Frimpong made back-to-back starts, albeit in two different positions after swapping right-back for the right wing.
He injected what Liverpool have needed, speed and urgency. Dovetailed with Bradley nicely and kept the Leeds defence honest, with his bursts of pace seen more often than any sprint on the counter.
Showed what he’s capable of with his balls into the box and was honest in his defensive work before he dropped to right-back for the rest of his outing.
Florian Wirtz – 6
The game Liverpool bought Wirtz for, to unpick an organised and stubborn defence. He looked to find the passes through their defensive block, but they didn’t always come off.
Would have benefited from playing more centrally to exploit passing lanes, and had to be quicker when the ball fell to him in the box when Ekitike’s shot was blocked.
A performance of what ifs, and it saw him subbed early.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
A joy to watch when’s he on, isn’t he? The ball sticks to his foot, but that comes with his movement and strength – he’s establishing a good connection with Wirtz, too.
Had a strong claim for a penalty after being man-handled and then headed a Frimpong cross in the entirely wrong direction in the first half. Started to fade in the second and found himself offside more often than not.
Slot has a job on his hands keeping him fresh without Alexander Isak to rotate, with this is the first of nine games this month.
Overall Team Performance – 6
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Substitutes
Milos Kerkez (on for Robertson, 66′) – 6 – Elicited a few groans with poor passes that saw Liverpool lose possession.
Cody Gakpo (on for Wirtz, 66′) – 6 – He was always going to come on, and wasted little time cutting onto his right for a blocked shot.
Alexis Mac Allister (on for Jones, 66′) – 6 – Not a lot of time to mastermind the needed change but was tidy in the moments he had on the ball.
Federico Chiesa (on for Bradley, 79′) – 5 – Flashes but nothing of note.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Frimpong, 84′) – N/A – Given a rare opportunity and looked sharp.
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Lucky, Ramsay, Nyoni
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Arne Slot – 6
Made three changes after five days without a game, but also with the quick turnaround over the weekend in mind.
For the 12th time in 19 Premier League games, Liverpool failed to score in the first half with their play still slow and laborious, creating half-chances rather than sustained pressure on the defence.
That his side struggled, again, against a side in the relegation discussion speaks volumes of where Liverpool currently find themselves, and that’s without a clear, distinct ideology.
The substitutions only further stunted what was already slow play and it proved an opportunity missed after Aston Villa‘s defeat earlier in the week.
Two tough away fixtures await at Fulham and Arsenal, that ought to tell us a lot more.