Liverpool and Leeds United played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield on New Year's Day, a result that leaves the defending champions fourth in the Premier League standings. With 33 points from 19 matches, Liverpool sits 12 points behind leaders Arsenal but moved three points clear of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.
Despite holding nearly 70 percent possession, Liverpool struggled to create clear openings without Mohamed Salah, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the injured Alexander Isak. This was the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s tenure, in his 84th match in charge.
Slot expressed his frustration after the game, stating, “I think we’re the team that has the most ball possession in the league this year, but ball possession does not mean a lot if you cannot create enough chances.” He noted that the team lacked the "individual special moments" required to break down Leeds' defensive low block.
The hosts' best opportunity fell to Hugo Ekitike, who miscued a header with the goal gaping following a Jeremie Frimpong cross. Ekitike also had a penalty appeal dismissed in the first half after Jaka Bijol appeared to hold him back in the area.
While the attacking display was flat, Alisson Becker reached a milestone by recording his 100th Premier League clean sheet. He is only the fifth goalkeeper in Liverpool history to reach the century mark, joining Ray Clemence, Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina, and Elisha Scott, despite a first-half error where he cleared the ball directly to Ethan Ampadu.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke utilized a 3-5-2 formation and rested in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin until the 70th minute to manage his fitness for Sunday’s rivalry match against Manchester United. The strategy nearly resulted in an upset when Calvert-Lewin scored late in the game, only for the goal to be ruled out by a marginal offside call.
Leeds defender James Justin praised the team’s tactical discipline, telling Sky Sports, “Today, we did a good job collectively, so a pat on the back for us... Luckily, today, we chose the right tactic.”
The final whistle was met with audible boos from the Anfield crowd as Liverpool’s nine-match unbeaten run continued without an offensive breakthrough. Leeds remains unbeaten against the champions this season, having previously secured a 3-3 draw at Elland Road in December.
While Liverpool will look to regain their scoring form, Leeds heads into the weekend with momentum, though they will be without Ethan Ampadu, who earned a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
