Liverpool could be without a number of key players ahead of their first game of 2026.
The Reds will be hoping to kick the new year off with a bang when they take on Leeds at Anfield on New Year’s Day, but they know it will not be easy.
They last faced each other just over a month ago, with Liverpool bottling a two-goal lead to end up hanging on for a 3-3 draw.
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Liverpool have a VERY strange record against Leeds! What do you think the score is going to be on New Year’s Day?
Liverpool's recent results vs Leeds
Liverpool’s recent results vs Leeds
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They will be hoping for an easier ride this time around after seeing an upturn in results, although Leeds also seem to be getting better and better.
Liverpool may have been handed a big blow too as one star has had to miss training, with this coming at the worst possible time.
Florian Wirtz sits out of Liverpool training
If there is one player who Liverpool fans will be hoping can start the new year off right, it is Florian Wirtz, with the German improving week by week.
He grabbed his first goal for the club at the weekend against Wolves, with this looking like it could be the start of something big for a very ‘special’ player.
Florian Wirtz claps the travelling Liverpool fans at Eintracht Frankfurt v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
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However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Wirtz had to miss training on Tuesday for an unspecified reason, with the German not spotted in any of the photos.
He missed out along with the likes of Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez, as well as the longer-term absentees such as Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak, of course.
If he is unavailable for the game, then he could be replaced by Cody Gakpo on the left after he has recently returned from injury, although he will not be ready to play 90 minutes just yet.
Federico Chiesa could get another chance due to Florian Wirtz’s absence
What changes does Arne Slot need to make to the team he fielded last time out vs Leeds?
Things really didn't go to plan that day…
Liverpool's lineup vs Leeds
Liverpool’s lineup vs Leeds
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If Wirtz is missing and Gakpo cannot start due to fitness, that leaves Federico Chiesa as one of the only other options.
The Italian started against Wolves but failed to impress, with fans even saying he might have to go back to the bench.
However, due to his lack of minutes, it is understandable that he was not as sharp as he could be, so a decent run of fixtures is needed before judging him too harshly.
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