Anfield – Leeds United extended their unbeaten run to six matches after holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Thursday evening. The result marks the second time this season the two sides have shared points.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had scored an 81st-minute winner for Leeds, continuing his streak of goals in recent appearances, but the effort was ruled out for offside. The substitute’s near-miss highlighted Leeds’ persistent threat despite Liverpool dominating possession.
Liverpool created several opportunities but failed to convert. Hugo Ekitike missed a close-range header, while Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai also squandered late chances. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri made key saves, including blocking Florian Wirtz’s follow-up after an initial Ekitike strike.
Leeds, coached by Daniel Farke, relied on defensive organisation and disciplined positioning to frustrate their hosts. The visitors remain 16th in the Premier League, seven points clear of the relegation zone, while Liverpool sit fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United.
The first half saw Liverpool press aggressively, but Leeds held firm. Ethan Ampadu nearly capitalised on a poor pass from Alisson Becker, while Ekitike failed to finish from two yards. After the break, Liverpool continued to pressure, with Szoboszlai firing a long-range shot that Perri pushed to safety. Van Dijk’s header narrowly missed, and Calvert-Lewin’s disallowed goal kept the match scoreless.
Leeds’ strategy focused on containment, allowing Liverpool possession but limiting clear-cut opportunities. Farke’s side briefly threatened from set-pieces, with Ampadu’s efforts and late substitutions providing minor danger, but they ultimately relied on defensive resilience.
The draw maintains Leeds’ unbeaten streak, following a dramatic 3-3 home draw with Liverpool last month. Their next Premier League fixture is against Manchester United on 4 January, where they will look to build on this defensive performance.
Lucas Perri’s clean sheet marks the first for a Leeds goalkeeper against Liverpool in all competitions since Nigel Martyn in April 1999 and the first at Anfield since John Lukic in April 1995. Liverpool also recorded their first 0-0 draw in 117 matches across competitions since December 2023.
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