Liverpool take on Leeds in their first game of the new year.
The Reds have been on a good run of form as of late after going unbeaten in their last seven games, with their last four all being wins.
Leeds caused them issues just before that, though, and came back from 2-0 down to claim a 3-3 draw in a rather hectic encounter.
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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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Liverpool will be hoping to put things right this time, however, although Arne Slot will make a few changes from the side that beat Wolves at the weekend to freshen things up. Here is the XI we think he will send out.
Defence
Alisson Becker will, of course, be the man between the sticks for Liverpool, with there a good chance that 2026 is his final year at the club.
He will be hoping to keep a clean sheet this time around against Leeds, though, but with the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top, this will prove tricky.
Speaking of Calvert-Lewin, both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will need to do their best to keep him quiet, but particularly the latter.
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Physical strikers tend to target Konate as they know he can be exploited, something the English striker has done many times before, but this is ‘Ibou’s’ chance at proving his worth.
At left-back, Slot will likely go with Milos Kerkez due to his upturn in form, with the Hungarian thriving when Florian Wirtz is just in front of him.
As for the right-back position, due to changes elsewhere in the team, we think Conor Bradley might get the nod now that he is back fit, with the Northern Irishman hoping for a good run in the team from here.
Midfield
Leeds play a very physical game and their midfield is key to them winning the ball and setting the press, highlighting how Slot needs to get the balance right.
He has done that in recent weeks, though, so it is unlikely he will change too much, with both Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones playing as the slightly deeper of the midfield three.
Just in front of them could be Dominik Szoboszlai, who returns from suspension, with there no way he will be left out after the season he has had.
This means Alexis Mac Allister drops to the bench, but given that he does not quite have the legs at the moment, giving him a slight rest might prove beneficial.
Liverpool's predicted XI vs Leeds
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Leeds
Attack
The forward line is where things get really interesting as Slot could do a few things, but we reckon that he will try Jeremie Frimpong at right wing due to his recent form.
He did well off the bench against Tottenham, before impressing when going forward against Wolves, picking up an assist in both games.
On the left, Florian Wirtz missed training but we think he will be fit enough to start again, with the German key to everything good Liverpool have been doing.
He links the play well, helps out the likes of Kerkez and even scored his first goal last week, showing how he is getting better as each day goes by.
Leading the line it will be none other than Hugo Ekitike, with the Frenchman hoping to continue his good goalscoring form and add to the 10 goals he already has in all competitions.
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