Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United: Report, result, goals in Premier League

Liverpool’s four-match winning run in all competitions stalled with an uninspired stalemate against Leeds United in the Premier League at Anfield, dropping points against the promoted side for the second time in under a month.

The reigning champions dominated possession and the share of chances in the first match of 2026 for both sides, only to repeatedly lack a ruthless touch in front of goal.

Hugo Ekitike had several good chances, improbably heading Jeremie Frimpong’s cross back in the direction of the home winger when the forward was well placed in front of goal during the first half.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also met returning playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery with an effort that landed wide with 20 minutes remaining.

In-form Leeds forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s celebrations after prodding in nine minutes from time were correctly quashed by an offside flag as the contest became more open during the closing stages.

You can also relive text updates as they happened from the 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 return match was in marked contrast to the 3-3 draw between the teams at Elland Road on December 6, when Ao Tanaka scored a 96th-minute equaliser 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 successive draw on the road.

How has Hugo Ekitike missed from there? 🫨 pic.twitter.com/DwipZpyOXF

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

Fourth-placed Liverpool, who are three points above Chelsea and six behind Aston Villa, are next in action away to Fulham on Sunday (15:00 GMT), followed by a trip to current leaders Arsenal on Thursday (20:00).

Leeds host Manchester United on Sunday (12:30), then travel to Newcastle three days later (20:15).

Liverpool team vs Leeds United

Defender Joe Gomez was out for Liverpool but full-back Conor Bradley started, having joined forward Cody Gakpo – initially in reserve again here – in returning from injuries from the bench in the 2-1 home win over Wolves the previous Saturday.

Full-back Andy Robertson was restored and Szoboszlai was back from suspension, but fellow midfielder Wataru Endo was injured and striker Alexander Isak had a broken leg.

Federico Chiesa, Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister moved to the bench. Defender Giovanni Leoni had a long-term knee injury and forward Mohamed Salah was at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Centre-back Ibrahima Konate needed to avoid a booking or incur a one-match league suspension.

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: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay, Rio Ngumoha, 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 called upon in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the bench late on.

Centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw made his full league debut, with James Justin, Ilia Greuv and Lukas Nmecha also coming in.

Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor dropped out of the starting line-up from the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday.

The Whites were unbeaten in five games but winless away in six, although they had drawn their last two on the road at the Black Cats and Brentford.

Leeds starting XI: Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, James Justin, Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Brenden Aaronson, Lukas 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 had been the highest-scoring draw ever between the teams, while Liverpool had scored 19 goals in their previous five Premier League matches against Leeds (W3 D1 L1)
• Their three-match winning Premier League run building up to this game had come after losing six and drawing two of their previous 10
• Florian Wirtz failed to score or assist for the first time in three games
• Gakpo failed to scored in Liverpool’s first Premier League game of the calendar year for the first time in three years, having netted against Newcastle and Manchester United
• The last Reds player to score in their first league game three years in a row remains Ian Rush in 1985, 1986 and 1987
• Leeds won 2-1 in their previous away league game against Liverpool, in October 2022, but they’ve still never won consecutive visits to the Reds in their league history
• They slowed Liverpool’s run of five wins from their last six Premier League games on New Year’s Day (D1), last losing such a match at home to Chelsea back in 2005
• Only one of Leeds’ last seven league games on this date has ended victoriously (D4 L2), beating Birmingham City 3-0 in 2024
• This was their first New Year’s Day game in the Premier League since 2003, a 2-0 home win against Birmingham
• One of their last 17 away top-flight matches against the reigning champions has produced a win (D6 L10), beating Arsenal 3-2 at Highbury in May 2003 thanks to a late Mark Viduka winner
• None of Leeds’ last 11 league games in January have ended in defeat (W6 D5), since a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in 2023. The only side in the top four tiers on an equal current unbeaten run in January is Arsenal (11 games)

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 games, visited Selhurst Park.

Under-pressure manager Thomas Frank then takes Tottenham to his former side, Brentford, and second-placed Manchester City will close the gap on leaders Arsenal to a point if the Cityzens become the first top-flight side to win at Sunderland this season.

Matches start at 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT unless stated otherwise.

Thursday, January 1

Palace vs Fulham

Liverpool vs Leeds United

Brentford vs Spurs (20:00)

Sunderland vs Man City (20:00)