Leeds United held firm at Anfield against Liverpool as Daniel Farke’s side held out for a battling 0-0 draw to remain six games unbeaten in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke rolled the dice with his team selection for Leeds’ trip to Anfield as he made four changes, including leaving prolific goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench.
The Leeds boss set his side up to defend against the reigning Premier League champions, as Sebastiaan Bornauw took his place in the Leeds defence and Ilia Gruev was brought into the midfield.
That defensive solidity paid off for the Whites as they held firm away at Anfield, as Liverpool dominated the ball but rarely threatened the Leeds goal.
As Leeds started the new year with a well-earned draw, here are the player ratings from the game.
Who was your man of the match from Leeds’ battling draw at Anfield? 🧱
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United
Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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Lucas Perri – 5
Fortunate that he was not punished after spilling an early shot on goal that landed to a Leeds defender. He was also nearly the victim of a miscommunication with Jaka Bijol in the second half. Had little to do but looked shaky when asked to do it.
Sebastiaan Bornauw – 7
Thrown into the starting line-up for the first time at Anfield and did not look out of place. Could have had an assist had Calvert-Lewin not strayed offside. Farke will be hoping the injury that forced him off late in the game is not serious.
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Jaka Bijol – 7
Had Leeds’ first chance with a free header from a corner, but his effort was tame. Produced an important early tackle to dispossess Florian Wirtz in a dangerous position. Aside from one nervy moment when running back towards goal, he headed everything away and looked assured at the back.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Arguably had his worst game since Leeds switched to a back three as he endured a couple of shaky moments in defence. That said, Struijk was strong in the air, and none of those mistakes cost Leeds.
James Justin – 7
Appeared at the right time to stop Florian Wirtz twice in dangerous positions in the first half. Offers less in attack than the usual first choice, Jayden Bogle, but that was not his role in a rearguard display. Also looked assured when asked to move into the right centre-back role.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 8
The threat of Jeremie Frimpong limited his usual attacking threat; however, he acquitted himself well in defence. Offered Leeds a useful outlet when he did make a foray into the Liverpool half. Was Leeds’ standout performer in a victory built on defensive solidity.
Did Daniel Farke get his team selection right for the trip to Anfield? 🤔
Leeds were solid in defence, but rarely threatened in the 0-0 draw
Ilia Gruev in action during Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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Ethan Ampadu – 5
Most notable contribution in the opening exchanges was a long throw that nearly fell for Lukas Nmecha and should have done better when presented with a long-range effort after Alisson scuffed a clearance. Picked up a costly booking that will rule him out of Leeds’ meeting with Manchester United.
Ilia Gruev – 7
Typically industrious off the ball, but his impact in possession was limited in the first half. However, his job was to help Leeds resist the pressure from the home side, and he did that well. His influence grew as the second half progressed in a quietly impressive performance.
Anton Stach – 6
The driving force in the Leeds midfield and the only one of the trio who offered support to the attackers. Set-piece delivery was accurate as usual, but overhit a pass to Brenden Aaronson as Leeds threatened on the break.
However, his influence dwindled as the game went on. Fired over in stoppage time in a good position.
Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Brenden Aaronson – 5
Asked to lead the line alongside Lukas Nmecha, although dropped into a midfield four in defence. Worked hard but struggled to impact the game with the few chances he had around the box.
Lukas Nmecha – 5
Struggled to make a telling impact in the first half and does not offer the same off-the-ball work-rate to Farke’s side as Calvert-Lewin. That said, he was given a difficult assignment against Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk.
Substitutes:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
Put the ball in the net after a good flick from Bornauw, but he had strayed into an offside position. Had few chances to impact the game beyond that.
Noah Okafor – 6
Provided more threat than Aaronson and harried the Liverpool defence well in the closing stages.
Jayden Bogle and Ao Tanaka – N/A
Introduced too late to make any significant contribution to the game.
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