The primary outing of 2026 noticed Liverpool stay unconvincing and fail to tug off a revenge mission over Leeds, with Arne Slot reverting again to questionable habits.
Liverpool 0-0 Leeds
Premier League (19) | AnfieldJanuary 1, 2026
1. New yr, similar Liverpool
Pedestrian, unsure soccer. An inconsistent rhythm and a bizarre, nervous-nonchalant mix of strategy in direction of the low block. This wasn’t a reasonably watch. Patches of play with promise had been quickly adopted by stale confusion and lacklustre rebuilding.
Soccer groups change identification and tactical strategy, nevertheless it feels very, very removed from the previous ‘Depth is our Id’ days of the not-too-distant previous.
You can sense it was merely a matter of time earlier than Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the ball behind the web. Fortuitously for Liverpool, the linesman’s flag was available. Actually not adequate.
2. Frimpong brings a complete new dimension
It’s laborious to pinpoint the final time Liverpool had an out-an-out pace service provider, tiny in stature and decided to hug the touchline.
A part of Frimpong’s recreation looks like a serious throwback, within the sense of getting the ball down, dropping the shoulder and slamming on the afterburners. No methods or show-pony frills, simply uncooked athleticism and a mud cloud left in his wake.
It’s now clear why the Liverpool recruitment room underlined the title of the Dutchman as a number one candidate to fill in each at full-back or in a sophisticated function in lieu of Mohamed Salah.
Frimpong can and might be a serious asset for the Reds within the months forward and appears like he has heaps of assists in him – however the system must be polished to higher serve his ability set.
3. Ekitike is locked in, however wants assist
Harm to Alexander Isak was brutal, and absolutely the very last thing anyone needed. However the whole removing of the sideshow that’s ‘who’s the principle man up prime for Liverpool this week?’ is a welcome profit.
There’ll come a degree within the coming weeks when a critical quantity of footballing fatigue will construct up within the legs of 23-year-old Ekitike, however that could be a bridge value crossing as soon as it’s right here.
For now, Slot has an actual showman up entrance, bang in kind and looking out harmful with each attacking advance. What’s extra, Ekitike now not has the nagging ideas of imminently being rested simply because the momentum peaks.
He’s the principle man, main the road for certainly one of England’s footballing giants with a weight of expectation on his shoulders.
As Jaka Bijol discovered within the first half, the charismatic Frenchman can nearly shrug something off. The whole lot that was good filtered by Ekitike, the brightest spark inside a dismal Anfield. His team-mates must get on his degree, instantly.
4. Shotgun subs are again
It felt like Slot had deviated away from the roulette panic that was on present earlier within the season, nevertheless it was a revert again to default settings right here.
As Leeds stood agency with an usually inflexible and dreary again line of six, the fear started to creep in.
In flip, the board of the fourth official flashed up repeatedly. Full-backs changing full-backs, Alexis Mac Allister bundled again into midfield for causes unclear, tweaks to the flanks and naturally the Hail Mary Federico Chiesa substitution.
A lot happening, but so little occurring.
5. Rio Ngumoha is prepared for extra recreation time
Liverpool nonetheless have a lot to play for this season, and the mire of outcomes stretching from October into November meant the 17-year-old gem was pulled from the highlight.
It was clever, insofar as factors had been wanted and stress piled onto a youngster by no means ends properly.
However this starlet is prepared. He comes on and all the time provides an account of himself, with the tough twists and turns towards Leeds additional proof of burgeoning composure and self perception.
Liverpool aren’t doing a baby a sort favour after they stick Ngumoha on, they’re fairly often making their attacking line markedly higher and far more harmful. He must see extra game-time.
