Liverpool 0-0 Leeds: Match Review
Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League at Anfield.
Daniel Farke told of his pride after Leeds United delivered a 'special performance' to hold Liverpool to a stalemate.
The Yorkshire side continued their impressive form as the Reds were forced to raise the curtain on 2026 with a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
While Liverpool dominated possession throughout the encounter, having 69 per cent, they struggled to create many clear-cut chances. Hugo Ekitike and Virgil van Dijk missed headed opportunities either side of half-time but Leeds proved challenging to break down. The visitors also had a goal disallowed when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled offside.
Leeds stretched their unbeaten run to six matches and are seven points above the Premier League relegation zone. And Farke, speaking at his post-match press conference, toasted a 'really good day' for his side despite making four changes to his starting line-up.
The Elland Road boss said: “It was always clear that we, as a newly promoted side, would need a special performance today to travel away with points,” the German told the media.
“Especially on New Year’s Day, it is always a special atmosphere and then to travel also without several key players and to show such a performance, also such a resilience and well-organised structure against the ball.
“It was always clear that there would be many periods during the game where we had to suffer and have to defend really, really well and Liverpool would have more possession. But we didn’t allow them really clear-cut chances, more or less in errors and they couldn’t hurt us that much. We had also our periods in the game especially the beginning of the game.
“We needed a really balanced performance today and for that then to return back with a point. I think also in the end for us also well deserved clean sheet is not just good for the table but also good for the mood in the dressing room, good for the confidence. Also many fringe players today involved also yes, delighted for them because I was not surprised about their performance.
The frustration for Farke was that Leeds midfielder Ethan Ampadu was booked in the first half for handball. It was Ampadu's fifth booking of the season and he must serve a one-match suspension when Leeds face Manchester United on Sunday.
The decision to give Ampadu a yellow card baffled Farke, as well as the six minutes of added-time that was signalled - although Liverpool failed to take advantage. "I have to calm myself down, I'm still struggling to accept this," said Farke.
"When I see in the first half foul situations against Anton Stach are not given and there was a clear foul against Ethan, we lose the ball and the instinctive free-kick he gave was never a yellow card. To give a yellow for this situation is, I have to be a bit careful, hard to accept. Jaka [Bijol] also got a yellow in this scene. Lots of adversity at the minute.
“Six minutes time added on, I don't know where that came from, six were up, he played further on and then we wanted to go for a counter and he blew. Several situations I'm really struggling to accept today. But of course Ethan is a key player and we will miss him a lot in the upcoming fixture but we have to find a solution."
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