Daniel Farke takes Leeds United to Anfield on New Years Day knowing Liverpool’s attack can still cause serious damage, despite missing key names. Leeds arrive on a five-match unbeaten Premier League run,
yet Farke warns this fixture is a major test as Arne Slot’s side also enjoy strong recent form.
The clubs shared a wild 3-3 draw at Elland Road earlier in December, when Leeds came from behind twice to secure a point. That result helped launch Leeds’ current streak, while Liverpool stayed in touch with the leading pack and now chase third-placed Aston Villa, aiming to cut the gap to four points.
Liverpool face Leeds without Mohamed Salah, who is on international duty, and the injured Alexander Isak. Farke is not taking encouragement from those absences. When asked if this is a good time to meet Liverpool, Farke replied: "No, I dont think so," before stressing the strength he still sees in their forward line.
Farke highlighted the depth of Liverpool’s attack and singled out individuals. "Because when I have a look at the squad and who is playing in the offensive positions, you could fear the worst. They have [Hugo] Ekitike. I know him also from Germany and its an impressive start to life at Liverpool, in red hot form. Florian Wirtz is a player of unbelievable potential. I think just he alone cost more money that we spent in the whole summer for all of our signings. We dont have to speak about all the other options who are there for the offence. Sometimes it's even beneficial when you dont have too many options and too many competitions for the confidence of the offensive players. "
Since that dramatic draw at Elland Road, Liverpool have won four straight matches in all competitions. Slot’s team are unbeaten in seven games overall and sit fourth in the Premier League. Leeds, meanwhile, chase a sixth league match without defeat as Farke’s squad try to maintain momentum into January.
Conor Bradley expects another demanding contest and pointed to lessons from the earlier meeting. "Leeds are a really good teamwe found that out a few weeks ago when we went to Elland Road," Bradley told the club website. "We know it's going to be a difficult game but we're really looking forward to it. I think we've had some really good results recently, but I think the performances can definitely still get better. That's something we've got to strive to do, and hopefully we can do that in the upcoming games. "
Rewind: Liverpool pic.twitter.com/qgBLjEsbdSLeeds United (@LUFC) December 30, 2025
Working towards #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/cj1ZNJLfbpLiverpool FC (@LFC) December 30, 2025
Liverpool vs Leeds United players to watch
Both teams carry clear attacking threats. Liverpool look to Florian Wirtz, who has recently started producing in England. Leeds rely heavily on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose scoring form places the forward among the Premier League’s most effective strikers this season, including a key goal against Liverpool in the earlier meeting.
Wirtz needed time to adapt to the Premier League, failing to record a goal or assist in 15 attempts. That has now changed. The attacking midfielder has either scored once or assisted once in each of Liverpool’s last two league matches, echoing a longer streak with Bayer Leverkusen last season.
During November and December of the previous campaign, Wirtz managed goal involvements in six straight Bundesliga games for Bayer Leverkusen. Leeds must also track Calvert-Lewin carefully. Only Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo have more league goals this season than Calvert-Lewin’s eight, including seven strikes in the last six outings.
Liverpool vs Leeds United key stats and prediction
The reverse fixture offered entertainment and warning signs for both sides. Liverpool have hit 19 goals across their last five Premier League meetings with Leeds, winning three, drawing one and losing one. However, Liverpool surrendered a 2-0 lead in December to draw 3-3, which is their highest scoring draw against Leeds.
Historic New Years Day form also favours Liverpool. They have won five of their last six league matches played on that date, drawing the other, with their previous defeat coming against Chelsea at Anfield in 2005. Leeds have managed only one win in their last six New Years Day league fixtures, beating Birmingham 3-0 in 2024.
Leeds’ overall January league record is far stronger. They are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches in that month, with six wins and four draws, since a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in 2023 under Jesse Marsch. Across the top four English tiers, only Arsenal, with 11 games, currently hold a longer active unbeaten January run.
History against reigning champions is less positive for Leeds. They have won just one of their last 16 away top-flight games against the defending title holders, drawing five and losing 10. That solitary success came in May 2003, when Leeds beat Arsenal 3-2 at Highbury, sealed by a late strike from Mark Viduka.
Data models still lean towards a Liverpool victory at Anfield, with the Opta probability showing a clear advantage for Slot’s team. Yet Leeds arrive with a strong January record and recent resilience, while memories of the 3-3 draw at Elland Road remind both squads that this fixture can produce swings in momentum.
