Liverpool take on Leeds United at Anfield on New Year's Day and our writers have picked their XIs for the clash
Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong could team up on the right flank
Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong could team up on the right flank
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Liverpool begin 2026 with a game against a side they played just three-and-a-half weeks ago, as Leeds United come calling to Anfield. Daniel Farke's side struck in the 96th minute to deny the Reds three points when the teams met at Elland Road on December 6, with Mohamed Salah hogging all the headlines post-match with his extraordinary interview.
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Since that game though the Reds have collected nine points from the nine available in the Premier League, and with Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Arne Slot has started to mould his new look attack, featuring stellar contributions from Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
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Both are expected to be in the starting line-up to face Leeds again on New Year's Day, but who else makes the cut?
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We asked our writers for their teams...
Ian Doyle
New Year, same old Premier League. And Liverpool begin 2026 with a clash against a team they last faced less than a month ago.
In-form Leeds United are the visitors with Arne Slot finally having the luxury of a number of selection decisions to make. What, then, is the Reds boss to do?
There'll be no change in goal. That's Alisson Becker. And with Joe Gomez still not quite ready, the centre-backs must remain Ibrahima Konate alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk. But there's room for manoeuvre at full-back, and I'd have Andy Robertson on the left for this one and Conor Bradley in on the right.
In midfield, more rotation as Dominik Szoboszlai returns to the number 10 role with Alexis Mac Allister benched and Curtis Jones continuing with Ryan Gravenberch at the base.
Up top, Jeremie Frimpong can shift up to the right wing with Florian Wirtz staying on the left and Hugo Ekitike just about okay to go again down the middle.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Theo Squires
Liverpool will look to start 2026 in style and extend their unbeaten run as they welcome Leeds United to Anfield. But with the Peacocks also avoiding defeat throughout December, victory is not a foregone conclusion.
You only need to look back to the 3-3 draw between the two sides just a few weeks ago for proof of why the Reds can take nothing for granted.
Dominik Szoboszlai is back from suspension and goes straight back into the starting XI. But rather than lining up on the right, he can instead start at number 10 with Alexis Mac Allister the man to make way.
Florian Wirtz was not pictured in team training earlier this week but if heβs available, he keeps his place on the left. Cody Gakpo can be on standby otherwise.
And Jeremie Frimpong can push further up on the right flank, with Conor Bradley coming in at right-back as Federico Chiesa drops out.
Hugo Ekitike again leads the line with Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones continuing their midfield partnership. Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez retains his place at left-back ahead of Andy Robertson.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Mark Jones
While it is still not exactly overflowing with options, the Liverpool bench did at least look a little stronger against Wolves with the inclusions of Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo, and the return from suspension of Dominik Szoboszlai is of course very much welcome for this New Year's Day meeting with Leeds.
I can see Bradley returning to the starting XI after his cameo the other day (does anyone know what day it is btw?), with Federico Chiesa dropping back down to the bench after he didn't exactly make the most of his rare start. He's better as a substitute anyway.
There was a distinct lack of energy in the second half against Wolves so I'm hoping the return of Szoboszlai to the No.10 role, where he can lead the press, will sort that out, and you can't split Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones up at the moment so that means Alexis Mac Allister drops to the bench.
Then, while it isn't ideal, I'd give Jeremie Frimpong a go high on the right and see if he can impact games as he has been doing impressively of late. Then there's Gakpo, Mac Allister, Chiesa and Andy Robertson to call on from the bench if needed. A pretty impressive cavalry.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.