Liverpool vs Leeds Preview: A Challenge at Anfield - Premier League Round

At 00:30 on January 2nd, 2026, Anfield Stadium will be the focal point for the clash between Liverpool and Leeds United. While the home team is striving to catch up with the leaders, Leeds is struggling in the lower half of the table to avoid the relegation zone.

Contrasting positions on the leaderboard

Currently, Liverpool are in 4th place with 32 points after 18 matches. The Merseyside team is in fairly stable form with a streak of 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 rounds. Conversely, Leeds United are in 16th place with 20 points, only a narrow distance from the relegation zone. Although their form in the last 5 matches hasn't been too bad with 2 wins and 3 draws, the pressure to avoid relegation is still weighing heavily on the visiting team.

The personnel crisis at Anfield

Most notably in this match is Liverpool's long list of absentees. The Anfield side will be without superstar Mohamed Salah due to international duty. In addition, a number of other key players such as W. Endo (ankle injury), S. Bajcetic, C. Scanlon (hamstring injuries), and A. Isak (broken leg) will also be sidelined. The lack of both attacking power and the ability to control the game will present a difficult challenge for the Liverpool coaching staff.

On the other side of the pitch, Leeds United also lost key players. D. James (hamstring injury), S. Longstaff (calf injury), and J. Rodon (ankle injury) are all unavailable for this trip to Merseyside.

Head-to-head history and home advantage

Statistics show that Anfield remains an impenetrable fortress. In their 9 home games this season, Liverpool have won 6 and lost only 2. Their scoring efficiency averages 1.7 goals per game. Meanwhile, Leeds United have been quite weak away from home, with only 1 win in 9 away games, conceding an average of 1.8 goals per game.

Looking at the head-to-head history in the last 5 matches, Liverpool has the advantage with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. However, in their most recent encounter on December 7, 2025, the two teams produced a dramatic back-and-forth match that ended in a 3-3 draw, showing that Leeds is perfectly capable of causing an upset if Liverpool is complacent.

Tactical analysis and prediction

Despite missing several key players, Liverpool are still considered the favorites thanks to their home advantage and the composure of a big team. The predicted probability of a home win is 45%, equivalent to the probability of a draw. Leeds United's chances of causing an upset are only rated at 10%.

The match is expected to be high-scoring but not overly explosive due to the absence of key strikers. Liverpool will likely take control of the game but struggle to break through Leeds' crowded defense. A minimal win or a draw is the most realistic scenario for this encounter.

Team lineup updated at 23:53 on 01/01/2026

Official lineup

Liverpool

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachArne Slot

Starting lineup:

• 1. Alisson (G)
• 12. Conor Bradley (D)
• 5. Ibrahima Konaté (D)
• 4. Virgil van Dijk (D)
• 26. Andrew Robertson (D)
• 38. Ryan Gravenberch (M)
• 17. Curtis Jones (M)
• 30. Jeremie Frimpong (M)
• 8. Dominik Szoboszlai (M)
• 7. Florian Wirtz (M)
• 22. Hugo Ekitiké (F)

Substitutes:

• 25. Giorgi Mamardashvili
• 6. Miloš Kerkez
• 47. Calvin Ramsay
• 92. Wellity Lucky
• 10. Alexis Mac Allister
• 18. Cody Gakpo
• 42. Trey Nyoni
• 14. Federico Chiesa
• 73. Rio Ngumoha

Leeds

Diagram: 3-5-2

CoachDaniel Farke

Starting lineup:

• 1. Lucas Perri (G)
• 23. Sebastiaan Bornauw (D)
• 15. Jaka Bijol (D)
• 5. Pascal Struijk (D)
• 24. James Justin (M)
• 44. Ilia Gruev (M)
• 4. Ethan Ampadu (M)
• 18. Anton Stach (M)
• 3. Gabriel Gudmundsson (M)
• 11. Brendan Aaronson (F)
• 14. Lukas Nmecha (F)

Substitutes:

• 26. Karl Darlow
• 2. Jayden Bogle
• 25. Sam Byram
• 22. Tanaka Pond
• 20. Jack Harrison
• 29. Wilfried Gnonto
• 19. Noah Okafor
• 10. Joël Piroe
• 9. Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Thanh Vinh