The first outing of 2026 saw Liverpool remain unconvincing and fail to pull off a revenge mission over Leeds, with Arne Slot reverting back to questionable habits.
Liverpool 0-0 Leeds
Premier League (19) | Anfield
January 1, 2026
1. New year, same Liverpool
Pedestrian, uncertain football. An inconsistent rhythm and a weird, nervous-nonchalant blend of approach towards the low block. This wasn’t a pretty watch. Patches of play with promise were soon followed by stale confusion and lacklustre rebuilding.
Football teams change identity and tactical approach, but it feels very, very far from the old ‘Intensity is our Identity’ days of the not-too-distant past.
You could sense it was simply a matter of time before Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the ball in the back of the net. Fortunately for Liverpool, the linesman’s flag was on hand. Really not good enough.
2. Frimpong brings a whole new dimension
It’s hard to pinpoint the last time Liverpool had an out-an-out speed merchant, tiny in stature and determined to hug the touchline.
Part of Frimpong’s game feels like a major throwback, in the sense of getting the ball down, dropping the shoulder and slamming on the afterburners. No tricks or show-pony frills, just raw athleticism and a dust cloud left in his wake.
It’s now clear why the Liverpool recruitment room underlined the name of the Dutchman as a leading candidate to fill in both at full-back or in an advanced role in lieu of Mohamed Salah.
Frimpong can and will be a major asset for the Reds in the months ahead and looks like he has heaps of assists in him – but the system needs to be polished to better serve his skill set.
3. Ekitike is locked in, but needs help
Injury to Alexander Isak was brutal, and the absolute last thing anybody wanted. But the total removal of the sideshow that is ‘who is the main man up top for Liverpool this week?’ is a welcome benefit.
There will come a point in the coming weeks when a serious amount of footballing fatigue will build up in the legs of 23-year-old Ekitike, but that is a bridge worth crossing once it is here.
For now, Slot has a real showman up front, bang in form and looking dangerous with every attacking advance. What’s more, Ekitike no longer has the nagging thoughts of imminently being rested just as the momentum peaks.
He’s the main man, leading the line for one of England’s footballing giants with a weight of expectation on his shoulders.
As Jaka Bijol found out in the first half, the charismatic Frenchman can just about shrug anything off. Everything that was good filtered through Ekitike, the brightest spark inside a gloomy Anfield. His team-mates need to get on his level, immediately.
4. Shotgun subs are back
It felt like Slot had deviated away from the roulette panic that was on show earlier in the season, but it was a revert back to default settings here.
As Leeds stood firm with an often rigid and dreary back line of six, the worry began to creep in.
In turn, the board of the fourth official flashed up again and again. Full-backs replacing full-backs, Alexis Mac Allister bundled back into midfield for reasons unclear, tweaks to the flanks and of course the Hail Mary Federico Chiesa substitution.
So much going on, yet so little happening.
5. Rio Ngumoha is ready for more game time
Liverpool still have plenty to play for this season, and the mire of results stretching from October into November meant the 17-year-old gem was pulled from the spotlight.
It was wise, insofar as points were needed and pressure piled onto a teenager never ends well.
But this starlet is ready. He comes on and always gives an account of himself, with the tricky twists and turns against Leeds further evidence of burgeoning composure and self belief.
Liverpool aren’t doing a child a kind favour when they stick Ngumoha on, they’re very often making their attacking line markedly better and much more dangerous. He needs to see more game-time.