Liverpool Starting XI vs Leeds United: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Latest Ahead of New Year’s Day Clash

Liverpool begin 2026 with a testing Premier League fixture as Leeds Utd arrive at Anfield on New Year’s Day, with confirmed team news and injury latest shaping the narrative before kick-off. The meeting comes less than a month after an extraordinary 3-3 draw at Elland Road and presents both sides with immediate questions around availability, selection and tactical balance.

For Liverpool, the focus is firmly on who returns and who remains sidelined, while Leeds Utd continue to assess their own options following a demanding festive period. With points at a premium and momentum fragile across the division, team news takes on added significance.

Photo: IMAGO

Squad Boost for Liverpool as Midfield Returns

Liverpool receive a notable lift with the return of Dominik Szoboszlai, who is available again after serving a suspension. His absence was keenly felt in recent matches, not least because of his influence between the lines and his ability to dictate tempo in high-intensity fixtures. The expectation is that he comes straight back into the starting XI, restoring balance to a midfield that has often looked stretched without him.

Cody Gakpo is also back in contention following a spell out, though his recent lack of match minutes suggests a substitute role is more likely. There is little appetite to rush him into a starting position, particularly given the physical demands Leeds Utd are likely to impose.

Selection questions remain at right-back, where Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are both under consideration. Frimpong offers attacking thrust and pace, while Bradley provides defensive security, making the choice dependent on how aggressively Liverpool intend to approach the game.

Injury Latest Shapes Liverpool Options

Despite the positive returns, Liverpool’s injury list remains a concern. Alexander Isak is sidelined with a fractured leg and is expected to miss several more weeks, ruling him out of this fixture and beyond. Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez are also unavailable, each recovering from separate issues that are not expected to resolve in the immediate term.

Giovanni Leoni continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury, while Mohamed Salah remains away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. His absence inevitably alters Liverpool’s attacking structure and places added responsibility on the supporting cast to provide goals and creativity.

These injury latest developments have forced careful load management across the squad, with staff keen to avoid aggravating existing problems during a congested schedule.

Leeds Utd Approach and Selection Focus

From a Leeds Utd perspective, confidence will be drawn from their recent meeting with Liverpool, where their intensity and willingness to commit numbers forward caused consistent problems. Replicating that approach at Anfield is a different challenge altogether, but Leeds have shown this season that they are not inclined to adjust their principles based on venue.

Team news from West Yorkshire suggests continuity is likely, with emphasis on energy in midfield and direct running in wide areas. Leeds Utd’s ability to disrupt rhythm and force turnovers will be central to their game plan, particularly against a Liverpool side adjusting to key absences.

The visitors’ pressing game could test Liverpool’s depth, especially late on, making bench options and in-game management increasingly important.

Predicted Line-Up and Tactical Outlook

Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Alisson in goal and a defence anchored by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Szoboszlai is set to operate ahead of a double pivot, offering progression and goal threat from central areas.

Leeds Utd’s likely strategy will be to compress space, attack second balls and exploit transitional moments, particularly down the flanks. How effectively Liverpool manage those moments may determine whether this fixture follows the chaos of the reverse meeting or settles into a more controlled contest.

With both sides chasing consistency, confirmed team news and injury latest details underline how fine the margins may be as the Premier League calendar turns to 2026.