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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Liverpool toil at Anfield to kick off 2026 with Leeds draw
AP • January 2nd, 2026 9:07 am
Liverpool | Photo: AP
Liverpool have laboured to a 0-0 draw with Leeds at Anfield in the Premier League, extending their unbeaten run to eight games but underwhelming again amid key absences up front.
Arne Slot's team failed to create clear-cut chances, lacking inspiration in attack with Alexander Isak injured and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool, the defending champions, stayed fourth and were 12 points behind leaders Arsenal at the halfway point of the campaign.
Since a 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on November 26, Liverpool have played seven games in the Premier League — winning four of them and drawing the other three.
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Buty they've struggled to find much fluency, with Slot placing extra emphasis on them being tighter at the back after the team's early-season woes.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke opted for pragmatism in regards to the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin by dropping his in-form striker to the bench but it was his five-man defence who made the difference.
When the former Everton striker did arrive as a substitute he thought he had scored the winner with his first goal at the ground, only to be denied by an offside flag.
In another English top-flight game on Friday (NZ time), Crystal Palace and Fulham drew 1-1, with Jean-Philippe Mateta's opener for Palace cancelled out by Tom Cairney's goal.
Later on Friday, second-placed Manchester City were visiting Sunderland and Brentford were at home to Tottenham.
