Liverpool will host Leeds United at Anfield on Thursday, with both teams looking to continue their impressive runs of form.
Liverpool are coming into this game vs Leeds United on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions. The Reds have managed to turn a corner, even though their performances have not been very convincing. They will look to build on it and get closer to the upper echelons of the table.
On the other hand, Leeds United are fighting for survival, and they will be desperate to pick up a victory here. The Whites managed to secure a 3-3 draw against Liverpool earlier this month, and they will be hoping for another cracking contest here.
Meanwhile, Leeds United are unbeaten in the last five matches in all competitions. They will look to make life difficult for the home team and grind out a positive result here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Arne Slot will be without Giovanni Leoni (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle), Joe Gomez (hamstring), and Alexander Isak (leg) this week. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Leeds United, with Alisson Becker in goal. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk in the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the middle of the park. They will look to control the game from the deep and add defensive cover to the side. Alexis Mac Allister will start as the attacking midfielder here. He will look to add goals and creativity to the side.
Finally, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo will start on the flanks, with Hugo Ekitike leading the line for Liverpool vs Leeds United at Anfield on Thursday evening.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Leeds United
The away side will be without Sean Longstaff due to a calf injury and Daniel James due to a hamstring injury this midweek. Meanwhile, Joe Rodon is the latest absentee after picking up an ankle injury this past weekend against Sunderland
Leeds United will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation vs Liverpool, with Lucas Perri in goal. The central defensive unit will feature Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson will start as the wing-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit the home side on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu will add defensive cover and physicality to the side. Brenden Aaronson will add drive to the midfield alongside them. Finally, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line for Leeds United, with Noah Okafor on lining up alongside him in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Perri; Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Stach, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Key Stats
- Liverpool are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 matches against Leeds United in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won their last three matches in the Premier League.
- 27 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.Four of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both teams get on the score sheet.
- Liverpool have won five of their last six Premier League games on New Year’s Day (D1), with their last defeat coming at home to Chelsea back in 2005.
- Leeds United have won just one of their last six league games on New Year’s Day (D3 L2), beating Birmingham City 3-0 in 2024. This is their first New Year’s Day game in the Premier League since 2003, a 2-0 home win against Birmingham City.
Player to Watch
Hugo Ekitike
The French international has been outstanding since moving to the Premier League, and he has been a player for Liverpool. Ekitike will look to help his teammates create opportunities in the final third, and he will look to find the back of the net as well.
Liverpool have been overly dependent on him for goals, and they need him to step up and produce a strong performance here. Alexander Isak is on the sidelines with a fracture, and Mohamed Salah is away on AFCON duty. Liverpool will need the Frenchman to make a defining impact if they want to win the match here.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Leeds United
Neither side is particularly good defensively, and this is likely to be an open contest with plenty of chances on offer. Both teams will be playing for the three points, and they are unlikely to sit back and defend. The last outing between these two teams produced six goals, and this one is likely to be packed with goals as well.
Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but Liverpool have more quality and depth in the squad, and they should be able to pick up a narrow victory at home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.
