Dominic Calvert-Lewin is currently in the form of his life ahead of facing Liverpool.
The Reds kick off 2026 with a tough game at home to Leeds, with the reverse fixture causing them problems as it ended 3-3.
One player who scored in that game and will be looking to have a strong new year is Calvert-Lewin, with the Englishman scoring six in his last five matches.
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Although it is a long shot, he will be hoping to continue this form so he can be on the plane for the 2026 World Cup, and the way he is playing suggests it is not impossible.
There is a good chance he does get on the scoresheet again against Liverpool too, with Jurgen Klopp already warning them about how dangerous Calvert-Lewin was before.
Jurgen Klopp described Dominic Calvert-Lewin as ‘one of the best’
Liverpool fans will not be too fond of Calvert-Lewin given his links to Everton, but it is safe to say that the feeling is probably mutual.
They have faced him many times before during his career, 15 to be exact, and although he has only scored three times against them, he has been a real nuisance.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United plays during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Leeds United at the Stadium Of Light
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In fact, Klopp was a big fan of the Englishman during his tenure at Liverpool, with the German full of praise for him back in 2022.
“If you cannot use Calvert-Lewin for almost a whole season, it’s a massive blow,” Klopp said in a press conference three years ago.
“He’s one of the best strikers in England, for sure.”
At the time, holding him in such high regard may have been pretty amusing, but now, there is no denying that he is currently one of the best in the division.
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One big issue for Liverpool this season has been losing physical battles, but in particular, failing to defend set pieces because of this.
This is something that Calvert-Lewin will be licking his lips at given how Leeds like to play, with it being exactly the style Liverpool hate to play against.
He will try and make the game ugly, which will only play into Leeds’ hands, meaning the defence needs to be alert and not get drawn in.
Stopping him is a whole other kettle of fish, though, as he simply cannot stop scoring, and against a leaky Liverpool backline, he will fancy his chances at kicking 2026 off with a bang.
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