Liverpool's New Year's Resolution: Finding the Back of the Net

As the clock chimed in the New Year, Liverpool and Leeds United decided to gift us a match that was as scoreless as a New Year’s resolution by February. Despite playing at Anfield, Liverpool’s fortress, the Reds couldn’t break down Leeds, who, like a character from an unending soap opera, kept things consistently dramatic until the end. Final score? A jaw-dropping 0-0. For Leeds, this was akin to finding a rare Pokémon, keeping a clean sheet for the first time in 16 Premier League games. For Liverpool, however, it felt more like chasing Pikachu only to realize you've run out of Poké Balls.

Liverpool, extending their unbeaten run to eight games, found themselves tangled in a web of missed opportunities like a sitcom character in an ever-complicated love triangle. The team flung everything at Leeds, including a last-minute corner swung in by Sosai over Ekitique, but alas, no romantic goal heroics ensued. This match was the first dance of 2026, and Liverpool, unfortunately, didn't bring their dancing shoes.

Manager Arne Slot, in the post-match press conference, seemed like a parent at a child's school recital—proud yet visibly concerned. His team remained unbeaten, but against Leeds, a side flirting dangerously with relegation, the worry lines were apparent. Leeds, on the other hand, strutted away with their heads held high, extending their unbeaten streak to six games, proving that sometimes the underdog does indeed bite back.

Injury woes continue to plague Liverpool, with Alexander Isak sidelined due to a broken leg, and Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah away on AFCON duty. It’s akin to trying to make a blockbuster movie with half the cast on vacation. The challenge for Liverpool is clear: find a way to break through defenses without their usual stars, or risk watching their Premier League title dreams fade like a Snapchat story.

At the end of Matchweek 19, points were shared, and while Liverpool fans might have hoped for a more exhilarating start to the year, the Reds remain in the hunt. For now, it’s back to training ground, working out the kinks, and hoping their next match doesn’t resemble another rerun of a goalless Groundhog Day.