Liverpool vs Leeds United Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Jan 1 – Can Will Liverpool Survive the Trip to London?

New Year’s Day at Anfield brings us a fixture steeped in history, but heavily influenced by modern physiotherapists. The hosts are clinging to 5th place, looking to solidify a Champions League push, while the visitors arrive with tails up, fresh off a thumping 4–1 victory over Crystal Palace (as noted in the wider league context). Tactically, this is a test of patience versus efficiency.

Liverpool vs Leeds United Match Details at a Glance

Injury News and Suspensions

Liverpool

Arne Slot might need to register himself to play at this rate. The injury list is nothing short of a crisis. Key striker Alexander Isak is out until mid-January with a knee issue, while Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo are sidelined with knocks until early January. The defense is also decimated; Joe Gomez (hamstring) and Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) are out, and young Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee with an ACL injury.

Leeds United

The visitors aren’t exactly fully fit either, but their situation is manageable compared to their opponents. Pacey winger Daniel James is missing with a hamstring injury until late January, robbing them of a key counter-attacking outlet. Lukas Nmecha (hamstring) and Sean Longstaff (calf) are also out until early January, putting a bit of strain on the midfield rotation, but the core of their recent unbeaten run remains largely intact.

Liverpool vs Leeds United Head-to-Head Records

Form Guide

Liverpool

It has been a rollercoaster winter for the Anfield faithful. After a “disastrous spell” in November that included some heavy defeats, Slot’s men have steadied the ship, winning their last two Premier League outings. The transition from heavy metal football to Slot’s “controlled domination” is evident; they are keeping the ball better and rotating fluidly in attack. However, without a recognized striker like Isak, they rely heavily on Hugo Ekitike and the midfield runners.

Leeds United

Daniel Farke deserves credit for turning the tide. The Whites have moved six points clear of the drop zone, sitting 16th but playing with the confidence of a mid-table side. The shift to a 3-5-2 formation has been the catalyst, prioritizing defensive numbers and quick transitions. They are unbeaten in four, finding a pragmatic groove that suits their personnel.

Also read:- Crystal Palace vs Fulham Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction

Liverpool vs Leeds United Key Battles

Hugo Ekitike vs Joe Rodon

With Isak out, the goalscoring burden falls squarely on Hugo Ekitike. The forward offers a different profile lanky, skillful, and capable of dropping deep or running in behind. Under Slot’s system, Ekitike isn’t just a finisher; he is part of the build-up web, asked to vacate space for runners like Florian Wirtz or Dominik Szoboszlai.

Standing in his way is Joe Rodon, the heart of Farke’s defense. Rodon has been pivotal in the visitors’ recent unbeaten run, organizing the backline and dominating aerial duels. He thrives on physical battles, which makes this matchup interesting. Rodon will look to get tight to Ekitike and prevent him from turning.

Alexis Mac Allister vs Brenden Aaronson

Alexis Mac Allister is the conductor for the hosts. With Endo and Bajcetic out, the Argentine has to balance creative duties with defensive shielding. He determines the tempo, recycling possession, and looking for that killer pass to unlock a low block.

Opposing him in the energy department is Brenden Aaronson. Operating in that midfield cluster for the visitors, likely slightly ahead of the holding players, Aaronson is the nuisance-in-chief. His relentless running and pressing are designed to disrupt “controlled” teams exactly like Slot’s.

Liverpool vs Leeds United Tactical Outlook

Arne Slot will undoubtedly set the hosts up to dominate possession, likely in a 4-2-3-1 or a fluid 4-3-3, depending on how Wirtz and Szoboszlai rotate. The strategy will be to pin the visitors back and circulate the ball until a gap appears in the 3-5-2 block. However, the injury to Bradley and the absence of a natural holding midfielder (Endo/Bajcetic) create a massive tactical risk. The Reds will have to be perfect in their “rest defense”positioning themselves to stop counters before they start, because they lack the recovery pace to chase back.

Daniel Farke will happily cede possession. Expect the visitors to sit in a compact 5-3-2 without the ball, clogging the central channels and forcing the play wide. The plan is simple: win the ball, bypass the midfield press with a long ball to the channels for Okafor or Calvert-Lewin (who offers an aerial outlet), and win set pieces. The visitors know the home side struggles with dead-ball situations, and with the height of Rodon, Struijk, and Bijol, corners could be their best route to goal. It’s a classic attack-vs-defense drill, but the counter-threat is very real.

Liverpool vs Leeds United Possible Playing Squad

Liverpool XI:

Alisson (GK), Bradley, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz, Ekitike

Leeds United XI:

Perri (GK), Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

Liverpool vs Leeds United Match Prediction

Anfield on New Year’s Day is a formidable venue, and the home crowd often drags the team over the line. However, the injury list for the hosts is genuinely alarming. The lack of defensive depth and the absence of their main striker level the playing field significantly. It feels like a game where the visitors will score, but the sheer quality of the home attack even depleted, might just find a way to outscore them.

Score Prediction

Liverpool 2–1 Leeds United. The Reds scrape a nervous win thanks to individual brilliance from Wirtz, despite a set-piece scare from the visitors.

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.