Liverpool's Premier League title defence suffered a significant setback on New Year's Day 2026, as they were held to a dour 0-0 draw by a resilient Leeds United at Anfield.
Slot's Penalty Frustration After Anfield Stalemate
Manager Arne Slot pointed to a recurring theme of penalty decisions going against his side as a source of frustration following the insipid display. The Dutchman highlighted a first-half incident where striker Hugo Ekitike remained on his feet under a challenge from Leeds defender Jaka Bijol.
Referee Chris Kavanagh saw no offence, and VAR official Darren England did not intervene, a scenario Slot believes is punishing his players for their honesty. "If he (Ekitike) would have fallen down, it would probably have been a penalty," Slot stated post-match. "Our players try to stay on their feet and then it is hard for the VAR to interfere."
He revealed that Liverpool have been awarded just one penalty all season, a statistic he finds surprising for the team with the league's highest ball possession. However, Slot was clear that this was not the primary reason for the dropped points.
Leeds' Defensive Masterclass Halts Reds' Attack
The real cause of Liverpool's failure to win was a desperately poor attacking performance, arguably the most lacklustre of Slot's 84-game reign. Despite registering 19 attempts on goal, only four were on target, with barely a clear-cut chance created throughout the 90 minutes.
Ekitike had a couple of fleeting moments, but the absence of a clinical edge was glaring. The performance will do little to quieten concerns about the squad's attacking depth, with Slot himself admitting the result adds to the mounting frustration.
In stark contrast, Leeds United and manager Daniel Farke earned immense credit for a disciplined and effective game plan. The newly-promoted side extended their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches, with this clean sheet at the home of the champions a particular highlight.
Farke's Satisfaction and Late Drama
Farke's bold tactical move to introduce Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a late substitute almost snatched a famous win, only for the striker's clever finish to be correctly ruled out for offside. The Leeds boss did have one grievance, a harsh yellow card shown to Ethan Ampadu for handball that rules him out of the upcoming clash with Manchester United.
Nevertheless, Farke's overall mood was one of satisfaction. "It doesn't come along that often that you get a clean sheet and a point at Anfield," he said. "We are newly promoted and came to the defending champions... The lads defended well and didn't allow clear cut chances. It's always important to be rock-solid against the ball."
The result leaves Liverpool ruing a missed opportunity to gain ground on their top-four rivals, who also dropped points. For Leeds, it represents another massive step towards securing their Premier League status under Farke's stewardship.
