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Beth Lindop
If head coach Arne Slot aimed to kick off the new year with a flourish, Liverpool’s first match of 2026 must have left him disheartened. After a tumultuous 2025 filled with ups and downs, the reigning Premier League champions are hoping that their lackluster performance in Thursday’s 0-0 draw against Leeds United doesn’t set a precedent for the months to come.
Last summer, many anticipated that this would be a season for Slot to begin establishing a legacy at Anfield. However, with his team currently trailing league leaders Arsenal by 12 points and lacking the confidence that propelled them to victory last season, it’s evident that the Dutch manager’s priority must be to reinvigorate their style of play.
After a difficult autumn where Liverpool suffered nine losses in 12 matches across all competitions, the holiday season showed glimpses of improvement, with victories against Inter Milan, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur among their recent triumphs.
Despite the stalemate with Leeds, which extends Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to eight matches and brings them closer to third-placed Aston Villa in the standings, the mood at Anfield was anything but festive, as old issues resurfaced and the Reds appeared frequently short of creativity.
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This match marked Slot’s first 0-0 draw in his 84-game tenure as coach and Liverpool’s first draw of this kind since December 2023, when they faced Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. Additionally, it was only the fourth time Liverpool have failed to score in the Premier League since last season commenced, highlighting their recent decline in attacking form.
During the first half against Leeds, there were moments of offensive potential for Liverpool, most notably when the in-form Hugo Ekitike had his close-range header saved by Lucas Perri following a powerful cross from Jeremie Frimpong. However, after halftime, they managed just one shot on target — a long-range effort from Dominik Szoboszlai — while captain Virgil van Dijk headed their best chance wide from a set piece.
Considering Leeds had not kept a clean sheet in the league since late August against Newcastle United, Liverpool’s lack of offensive threat was particularly concerning.
“To score against a team that defends so well in and around the box, you need to unlock them in a few ways,” Slot commented in the post-match press conference. “Some teams find success with set pieces; we were close with Virgil. Another approach is something we saw against Wolves when Jeremie Frimpong created a magic moment one-on-one. He had a few such moments today too.”
“We control the ball the most, but that means little if we can’t convert that into chances. To break down a defensive setup, you need pace and individual brilliance to create opportunities.”
Leeds certainly earned praise for their resilient performance. They entered the match unbeaten in five and reveled in complicating matters for Liverpool at Anfield. They might have left with more than a point had substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin not been caught offside just before putting the ball over the line late in the game.
By that time, Slot had made several substitutions in hopes of finding a last-ditch winner, with Florian Wirtz among those replaced after failing to build on his impressive form against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Moreover, the fact that players on Liverpool’s bench have only scored eight league goals collectively this season highlights the scarcity of impactful substitutes available to Slot.
With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations representing Egypt and British-record acquisition Alexander Isak expected to be out for months following surgery on a broken ankle, Liverpool could surely benefit from additional support in the January transfer window. Despite having invested nearly £450 million in the summer, their squad still appears unbalanced. Currently, Cody Gakpo and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha are the only natural wingers available.
Ngumoha displayed promise in his brief appearance against Leeds but was unable to ignite an attack that has faltered, affecting Liverpool’s previously stronger defense.
Frimpong, who began the match on the right wing before shifting back to right back, expressed his frustration to Sky Sports: “We aimed to win the game, but we didn’t create enough chances. Leeds defended well. The result, 0-0, is very frustrating, but we’ll move on to the next match. We did have a couple of chances, and I feel I should have delivered the ball better. That’s all I can say.”
This feeling of frustration was palpable both on the pitch and in the stands during Thursday’s match. With challenging away encounters against Fulham and Arsenal on the horizon, Liverpool must hope their offense finds its rhythm once again, and soon.