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Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson almost gifted Leeds United a debut as the Reds played their first game of 2026 in the Premier League THURSDAY.
Brazilian Alisson played a pass straight to Ethan Ampadu in space outside the box, although the Wales international had his head in his hands after his tame first-time shot allowed the two-time Premier League winner to race quickly towards his goal and win the attempt.
“As soon as he touched the ball I thought he had a problem here,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. “It was right under his foot.”
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Liverpool vs Leeds: Premier League match deadlocked
The teams shared a 3-3 draw at Elland Road on December 6 and there was much less to be excited about during the first half at Anfield – often because the hosts missed when well placed.
Jérémie Frimpong’s pace and productivity from the wings made the Dutch striker a candidate to create a breakthrough, sending in a delivery which was curiously tipped back in his direction by striker Hugo Ekitike in front of goal.
“Jeremiah Frimpong looks dangerous every time the ball goes out wide,” Carragher said. “Frimpong always gets that half yard, and you just don’t see that in the game.”
You can follow live text updates and game statistics here.
How did Hugo Ekitike miss this step? 🫨 pic.twitter.com/DwipZpyOXF
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 1, 2026
Liverpool team vs Leeds United
Liverpool were aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Defender Joe Gomez was absent, but full-back Conor Bradley started, having joined striker Cody Gakpo – initially on reserve here – in returning from injury on the bench in the 2-1 home win over Wolves the previous Saturday.
Full-back Andy Robertson was restored and Dominik Szoboszlai was back from suspension, but fellow midfielder Wataru Endo was injured and striker Alexander Isak suffered a broken leg.
Federico Chiesa, Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister joined the bench. Defender Giovanni Leoni was dealing with a long-term knee injury and striker Mohamed Salah was playing in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate was expected to avoid a booking or face a one-match suspension in the league.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool substitutes: Mamargage Donor, Kerkez’s Kerkez, Alexis Master, Federico, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakre, Treatment, Tree, Treatment, Ramsay, Roo Ngumoha, Rio Ngumoha, Ngumoha Development, Wellity Lucky.
Leeds team vs Liverpool
Centre-back Joe Rodon (ankle), winger Daniel James (hamstring) and midfielder Sean Longstaff (leg) were injured for Leeds, who had in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench.
Center back Sebastiaan Bornauw made his league debut, with James Justin, Ilia Greuv and Lukas Nmecha also arriving.
Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor were left out of the starting lineup during the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday.
The Whites were unbeaten in five matches but without an away win in six, although they had drawn their last two away games at the Black Cats and Brentford.
Leeds starting eleven: Lucas Perri, Sebastian Bornau, Jacka Bighal, Pascal Strujk, James Justin, Elia Grueve, Ethan Ampdu, Anton Statch, Gabriel Goodmundsson, Brenden Aaronson, Lux Nmecha
Leeds substitutes: Karl Darlow, Jayden Bogle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Joel Piroe, Noah Okafor, Jack Harrison, Ao Tanaka, Sam Byram, Wilfried Gnonto
How to watch Liverpool vs Leeds: live stream online, TV channel
Kick-off on Thursday took place at 5:30 p.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now the TVSky Sports costs £14.99 for a one-day subscription, £28 per month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 per month without a contract.
Sky Sports subscriptions include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live broadcasts and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a wide variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Liverpool vs Leeds United Stats
- The result at Elland Road was the highest ever draw between the teams.
- Liverpool have scored 19 goals in their last five Premier League matches against Leeds (W3 D1 L1)
- Their run of three Premier League wins comes after losing six and drawing two of their previous 10.
- Having failed to score or assist a goal in any of his first 15 Premier League appearances, Florian Wirtz has now scored (1) or assisted (1) in his last two, last recording direct involvement in a goal in consecutive league matches in November and December last year (a run of six with Bayer Leverkusen).
- Cody Gakpo scored in Liverpool’s first Premier League game in each of the last two calendar years, against Newcastle and Manchester United.
- The last Reds player to score in their first league game three years in a row was Ian Rush in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
- Leeds won 2-1 in their last away league match against Liverpool, in October 2022. They have never won consecutive visits to the Reds in their league history.
- They are trying to end Liverpool’s run of five wins in their last six Premier League matches on New Year’s Day (D1), last losing such a match at home to Chelsea in 2005.
- Only one of Leeds’ last six league matches to date has ended victoriously (D3 L2), beating Birmingham 3-0 in 2024.
- This is their first New Year’s match in the Premier League since 2003, a 2-0 home win over Birmingham.
- One of their last 16 away matches against the reigning champions ended in victory (D5 L10), beating Arsenal 3-2 at Highbury in May 2003 thanks to a late winner from Mark Viduka.
- None of Leeds’ last 10 league matches in January have ended in defeat (W6 D4) since a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in 2023. The only team in the top four tiers on a longer unbeaten run in January is Arsenal (11 matches)
Premier League fixtures and results today
Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, Crystal Palace are aiming for a first win in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who have won their last three league matches, travel to Selhurst Park.
Under-pressure manager Thomas Frank next takes Tottenham to his old team Brentford, with second-placed Manchester City closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to one point if the Cityzens become the first top-flight side to win at Sunderland this season.
Matches start at 5:30 p.m. GMT / 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT unless otherwise noted.
Thursday January 1st
Palace vs Fulham
Liverpool vs Leeds United
Brentford v Spurs (8:00 p.m.)
Sunderland v Man City (8:00 p.m.)
