Liverpool's fading Premier League title aspirations suffered another significant blow on the first day of 2026, as they were held to a desperately dull 0-0 draw by a resilient Leeds United at Anfield.
A Stark Contrast to Former Glories
The result leaves Arne Slot's side a daunting 12 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and looking vulnerable to dropping out of the top four entirely. This is a stark contrast to their position just a year ago, on 1 January 2025, when they sat six points clear at the summit in what was a golden season, having already netted 45 goals.
Fast forward to the present, and the magic has seemingly deserted Anfield. This season, Liverpool have managed only 30 goals and have laboured through matches, looking stale and predictable. The departure of iconic manager Jurgen Klopp continues to cast a long shadow, despite Slot's initial efforts to ease the transition.
Key Factors in Liverpool's Decline
Several critical issues are plaguing the Merseyside club. Their marquee summer signings have failed to ignite: striker Alexander Isak is a long-term injury absentee, while fellow big-money arrival Florian Wirtz was virtually anonymous against Leeds before being substituted in the second half.
Furthermore, the squad is still grappling with the profound impact of the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota before the start of the campaign. Several players have spoken openly about their struggle to come to terms with the loss, and it remains a significant emotional factor in their loss of on-pitch dominance.
Tactical and personnel problems are also evident. Liverpool were without talisman Mo Salah, away at the African Cup of Nations with Egypt, and have also recently lost their set-piece coach. This department has been a major weakness, with no Premier League side conceding more goals from dead-ball situations than Liverpool's 12 this term.
Leeds Earn Their Point at Anfield
While Liverpool were poor, credit must go to a disciplined and improving Leeds United side. Daniel Farke's team arrived on Merseyside unbeaten in December, a run that included a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Elland Road last month.
They were good value for their point at Anfield, growing into the game and creating the better chances in the closing stages. Former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had won it late on, only for his close-range finish to be correctly ruled out for offside. Calvert-Lewin, who had scored seven goals in his previous six matches, was surprisingly left on the bench initially as Farke managed his fitness.
The visitors' organisation frustrated Liverpool throughout. The best chance of a turgid first half fell to Florian Wirtz, but his shot from 12 yards was superbly blocked by Leeds defender James Justin. At the other end, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson had a moment of panic, gifting possession to Ethan Ampadu 30 yards from an empty net, but recovered in time to smother the return pass.
In a twist of irony, given their set-piece woes, Liverpool came closest to scoring from a corner when Virgil van Dijk's powerful header bounced just wide. Leeds, who have scored 12 goals from set-pieces this season, ironically found Liverpool's defence stubborn from dead-ball situations on this occasion.
Anfield's Discontent Grows
The final whistle brought ecstatic cheers from the travelling Leeds supporters, met with muffled boos and grumbles of discontent from the home faithful. The performance encapsulated a creeping malaise that has set in since Liverpool's last title triumph.
While not an ordinary team, Liverpool are currently a shadow of their former selves—drained of fluidity, certainty, and the attacking verve that once made them the league's great entertainers. As the title race begins to take shape with Arsenal and Manchester City pulling away, Liverpool find themselves nowhere near the conversation, left to ponder how quickly their dominance has unravelled.
