Balance sheet, result, goals in the Premier League

Liverpool’s run of four wins in all competitions came to an end with an uninspired stalemate against Leeds United in Premier League at Anfield, dropping points against the promoted side for the second time in less than a month.

The reigning champions dominated possession and share of chances in both sides’ first game of 2026, but repeatedly lacked a ruthless touch in front of goal.

Hugo Ekitike had several good chances, improbably heading Jérémie Frimpong’s cross towards the home winger with the striker well placed in front of goal in the first half.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also responded to the return of playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai with a shot that landed wide with 20 minutes remaining.

In-form Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s celebrations after pushing on nine minutes from time were correctly canceled out by an offside flag as the contest became more open in the closing stages.

You can also relive text updates as they happened from in-game here.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has the ball in the Liverpool net but the flag is raised! ❌ pic.twitter.com/CHpF1FDfoK

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 1, 2026

Liverpool vs Leeds: Premier League stalemate

The second leg was in stark contrast to the 3-3 draw between the sides at Elland Road on December 6, when Ao Tanaka equalized in the 96th minute for Daniel Farke’s side.

Leeds will undoubtedly be happier, moving seven points clear of the relegation zone after 19 games and extending their unbeaten run to six matches with a third straight draw on the road.

How did Hugo Ekitike miss this step? 🫨 pic.twitter.com/DwipZpyOXF

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 1, 2026

Fourth-placed Liverpool, who are three points ahead of Chelsea and six behind Aston Villa, are next in action at Fulham on Sunday (3 p.m. GMT), followed by a trip to current leaders Arsenal on Thursday (8 p.m.).

Leeds host Manchester United on Sunday (12:30 p.m.), then travel to Newcastle three days later (8:15 p.m.).

Liverpool team vs Leeds United

Defender Joe Gomez was absent for Liverpool, 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 Szoboszlai returned 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 made a late call on in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin from 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

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 came after losing six and drawing two of their previous 10.
• Florian Wirtz failed to score or assist for the first time in three games
• Cody Gakpo failed to score in Liverpool’s first Premier League game of the calendar year for the first time in three years, having scored against Newcastle and Manchester United.
• The last Reds player to score in his first league game three years in a row was Ian Rush in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
• Leeds won 2-1 in their previous away league match against Liverpool, in October 2022. They have never won back-to-back visits to the Reds in their league history.
• They slowed 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 seven league matches to that date has ended victoriously (D4 L2), beating Birmingham 3-0 in 2024.
• It was their first New Year’s match in the Premier League since 2003, a 2–0 home win over Birmingham.
• One of their last 17 away matches against the reigning champions ended in victory (D6 L10), beating Arsenal 3-2 at Highbury in May 2003 thanks to a late winner from Mark Viduka.
• None of Leeds’ last 11 league matches in January have ended in defeat (W6 D5) 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 were seeking a first win in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who had won their last three league matches, visited Selhurst Park.

Under-pressure manager Thomas Frank then takes Tottenham to his old team, Brentford, with second-placed Manchester City closing the gap. Arsenal leaders to a point if the Cityzens become the first top-flight team 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.)