Liverpool vs Leeds United: Alisson ‘problem’ gives Reds scare in Premier League
Alisson blundered for Liverpool vs Leeds in the Premier League
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson almost gifted Leeds United an opener as the Reds played their first match of 2026 in the Premier League on Thursday.
Brazil’s 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 swiftly scamper across his goal and claim the attempt.
“As soon as he took his touch, I thought ‘he’s got a problem here’,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports of Alisson. “It was right under his foot.”
Table of Contents
Liverpool vs Leeds: Premier League game deadlocked
The teams shared a 3-3 draw at Elland Road on December 6 and there was considerably less cause for excitement during the first half at Anfield – often because the hosts misfired when well placed.
Jeremie Frimpong’s pace and productivity from the wings made the Netherlands wideman a candidate to create a breakthrough, sending in one delivery that was curiously headed back in his direction by forward Hugo Ekitike in front of goal.
“Jeremie Frimpong looks dangerous every time the ball goes on the outside,” said Carragher. “Frimpong always gets that half a yard, and you just don’t see that in the game.”
You can follow live text updates and stats from the game here.
How has Hugo Ekitike missed from there? 🫨 pic.twitter.com/DwipZpyOXF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 1, 2026
Liverpool team vs Leeds United
Liverpool were targeting a fifth straight win in all competitions.
Defender Joe Gomez was out 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 Dominik 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 had in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench.
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
How to watch Liverpool vs Leeds: Live online stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Thursday was at 17:30 GMT (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Liverpool vs Leeds United stats
- The result at Elland Road was the highest-scoring draw ever between the teams
- Liverpool have 19 goals in their last five Premier League matches against Leeds (W3 D1 L1)
- Their three-match winning Premier League run 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 registering a direct goal involvement in more consecutive league games across November and December last year (a run of six with Bayer Leverkusen)
- Cody Gakpo has scored in Liverpool’s first Premier League game of each of the last two calendar years, netting 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 game against Liverpool, in October 2022. They’ve never won consecutive visits to the Reds in their league history
- They are attempting to end 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 six league games on this date has ended victoriously (D3 L2), beating Birmingham 3-0 in 2024
- This is their first New Year’s Day game in the Premier League since 2003, a 2-0 home win against Birmingham
- One of their last 16 away top-flight matches against the reigning champions has produced a win (D5 L10), beating Arsenal 3-2 at Highbury in May 2003 thanks to a late Mark Viduka winner
- None of Leeds’ last 10 league games in January have ended in defeat (W6 D4) since a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in 2023. The only side in the top four tiers on a longer current unbeaten run in January is Arsenal (11 games)
Premier League fixtures and results today
Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, Crystal Palace are seeking a first win in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who have won their last three league games, visit 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)