Match Preview: Slot Expects "Hectic" Game Vs. Leeds

Liverpool open 2026 with a New Year’s Day match at Anfield vs Leeds United and picking up 3 points will be no easy task. The Whites are unbeaten in their last 5 matches, pulling themselves above the relegation zone. 

Meanwhile, though Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven, the Reds are struggling with injury problems and other absences. With another game looming on January 4th, Arne Slot also has to be concerned with load management. As a result, the boss expects a “hectic” game, referencing the 3-3 draw between the clubs earlier this season on December 6. Hugo Ekitiké scored a brace and Domonik Szoboszlai added a third goal for the Reds that day.

“Yes, I could see that and cope with it, but I don't prefer to cope with another day like that. But it's part of our lives in football,he said. “We have highs and lows, so we have to accept that. What I mainly took and take from it is that we struggled a lot, or much more, when they went to a four when they started to play 4-3-3 in the last 20 minutes of the game. That's also when they scored their goals. OK, the first one was another VAR intervention, but the second one was a really good goal from them. The third one was a set-piece. But we struggled more when they played with four than when they played with five [at the back]. I will definitely look at both, but especially the moment when they went to a four at the back.”

Team News

Not much has changed since earlier in week as far as injuries go. Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak, and Giovanni Leoni have been officially ruled out with injuries while Mohamed Salah is still away with Egypt at AFCON.

A Look At Leeds

The Whites have taken 20 points out of their first 18 games this season, which is not bad for a newley promoted side. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the star man for the visitors having scored 8 EPL goals with 7 of them coming in the last 6 matches.

"To go in on New Year's Day to Anfield is more or less one of the most challenging and difficult tasks you can have, but we want to have those games,” Leeds manager Daniel Farke said. We want to play back on the top level, we have it right now and we have challenges. We're looking forward to this game. We know we are in a good position. If you are there after 18 matchdays already with 20 points, it's great. We have shown also that there is a chance for the promoted sides and we're on a good path, but nothing is achieved yet."

LFC Globe Verdict

This will not be as easy of a match as positions on the table suggest. As seen in the first match this season between the two sides, Leeds can put the ball in the back of the net, so the defense has to be sharp for 90 minutes while keeping tabs on Calvert-Lewin at all times. This could very easily be a hectic game as Slot suggests, but the Reds should pull out the victory at Anfield.

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