In a hard-fought Premier League encounter at Anfield on January 2, 2026, Leeds United extended their impressive unbeaten run to six games with a resilient 0-0 draw against title contenders Liverpool. The Whites put in a superb defensive display, frustrating the hosts and limiting them to few clear-cut chances despite Liverpool’s dominance in possession. This result not only boosts Leeds’ confidence but also highlights their growing maturity under manager Daniel Farke, as they continue to punch above their weight in the 2025/26 season.
The match began with Leeds showing intent to start 2026 on a positive note, aiming to take something from one of the league’s toughest away fixtures. Liverpool, looking to build on their strong 2025 campaign, came forward early. Konate battled with his marker before the ball broke to Virgil van Dijk, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by a sliding defender, denying the Dutchman a goal-bound effort.
Leeds nearly capitalized on a rare Liverpool error when goalkeeper Alisson played a dangerous pass straight to Ethan Ampadu. The Welsh midfielder spotted Alisson off his line and drove the ball back at him, but it went just wide, sparing the Brazilian’s blushes.
The Reds ramped up the pressure, with Andrew Robertson whipping in a cross that evaded Gudmundsson’s header. The ball fell to Frimpong on the far side, who squared it for a teammate to shoot from point-blank range—only to somehow miss what looked like an easier chance to score than not.
Leeds’ sloppiness in possession invited more trouble, as Liverpool broke into the box again. A deflected shot was parried away by the Leeds goalkeeper, but the rebound led to a handball call against Ampadu, earning him a yellow card.
Liverpool continued to probe, with Szoboszlai curling in a delivery that van Dijk headed just wide of the post. Leeds, however, showed flashes of counter-attacking threat. They won the ball on the near side, with Gudmundsson curling a cross into the middle. It came down for a striker, who finished clinically—but the flag was up for offside, ruling out what would have been a stunning opener.
In the second half, the game remained tense. Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool and Ilia Gruev for Leeds exchanged possession in midfield, with Gruev lofting a ball over the top for a chase. Frimpong got to it first but was dispossessed near the corner flag.
Leeds built a promising move, with Aaronson playing it back to Gruev in the penalty area. Gruev persisted and put it back into the middle, but it was cleared from inside the six-yard box by a Liverpool defender. The Whites’ brilliant football in that sequence deserved more, but the hosts held firm.
As the clock ticked down, Leeds’ defense stood tall, restricting Liverpool to minimal opportunities. The final whistle blew to confirm a superb point for United, stretching their unbeaten streak and earning plaudits for their tremendous effort on the road.
This draw keeps Leeds comfortably in mid-table, while Liverpool will rue missed chances in their pursuit of the top spot. For Leeds fans, it’s another sign of progress—proving they can compete with the best. Up next for the Whites is a home clash, where they’ll look to turn draws into wins.
