Hugo Ekitike missed an open goal as Liverpool and Leeds started 2026 with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield.
Jeremie Frimpong’s left-footed strike in the first half was met by Ekitike, who bizarrely ended up heading the ball in the opposite direction when all he had to do was guide it into an open goal.
Frimpong had put plenty of power on his shot but, from a yard out, it was harder to miss than score.
The point extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to eight games and moved them three points clear of Chelsea, who are fifth, but this was another largely uninspiring display from Slot’s side.
Liverpool dominated possession but hardly tested Lucas Perri in the Leeds goal and, at the 84th time of asking since Slot took over in the summer of 2024, a Liverpool game under the Dutchman ended without a goal.
It was a game of few chances, with Ekitike denied a penalty in the first half when it looked like Jaka Bijol was holding him back while Virgil van Dijk came close when he headed wide from a corner in the second half.
Daniel Farke opted to rest Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had scored seven goals in his past six games, before their match against Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday.
And it was Calvert-Lewin who nearly got the winner after coming on in the second half, when he turned neatly and finished past Alisson in the 81st minute.
However, the former Everton striker was marginally offside.
Leeds extended their own unbeaten run to six games and have not lost a game since November. Farke’s side are seven points clear of the relegation zone.
After drawing 3-3 against Liverpool at Elland Road in December, they have taken four points off the Premier League champions this season.
