Liverpool and Leeds United ushered in 2026 with a goalless draw that said far more about the champions' ongoing attacking issues than the visitors' lack of ambition. On a cold, flat New Year's Day at Anfield, Daniel Farke's organised side became the first team to shut out an Arne Slot Liverpool in 84 attempts, leaving with a richly deserved point and most of the satisfaction after a 0-0 short on quality but high on defensive resilience.
Hugo Ekitike's remarkable miss from a yard out and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's disallowed late finish were the headline moments in a contest Liverpool largely controlled without ever convincing. The draw extends the hosts' unbeaten run to eight games and nudges them three points clear of Chelsea in fifth, but it also halts a sequence of four straight wins in all competitions and denies them the chance to close the gap on third-placed Aston Villa. For Leeds, a first clean sheet since August stretches their own unbeaten run to six matches and moves them seven points above the relegation zone, underlining the progress being made under Farke.
First goalless draw of Slot's reign exposes attacking flaws
This was the 84th competitive game of Slot's tenure and the first to finish 0-0. It was also Liverpool's first goalless draw in 117 matches in all competitions, dating back to December 2023 against Manchester United. The rarity of the scoreline only emphasised how toothless they were despite their dominance of the ball. Liverpool enjoyed around 68 percent of possession and registered 18 attempts to Leeds's four, but Lucas Perri in the Leeds goal was rarely extended and there were audible boos from sections of Anfield at full-time.