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UNSEEN: WHAT THE REFEREE TOLD HUGO EKITIKé AFTER THAT CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY SHOUT TODAY
Arne Slot suffers his first 0-0 draw as Liverpool boss. Read how Leeds stifled Anfield and Alisson reached a 100 clean sheet milestone.
Anfield saw two unbeaten records stay intact, but only one team left feeling good about it. Leeds managed to stifle Liverpool, resulting in Arne Slot's first goalless draw as manager, a game that showed the limitations still present despite the team's recent progress.
The dull 0-0 draw, Slot's first in 84 Liverpool games, was largely due to Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk's strong defense, along with Liverpool's struggle to break down Leeds' compact setup. Liverpool's chances were limited, and some boos could be heard at Anfield as the final whistle blew on a lackluster performance.
Before the game, Farke surprised everyone by leaving out Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The in-form forward had scored seven goals in six games, but given his past injury issues at Everton, the Leeds manager didn't want to risk a player who's key to their season's goals.
If I don't use the whole squad with a schedule like this, it won't work, Farke said. I have to protect a player like Dominic. We know he's had some tough years recently. He's in great form, but I need to look out for him, and sometimes you have to think with your head, not your heart. This reasonable plan was hurt by Lukas Nmecha's limited impact as Calvert-Lewin's replacement for 70 minutes.
Liverpool struggled when Farke switched to a 4-3-3 formation at Elland Road. Containing Liverpool was the main goal at Anfield, with a 3-5-2 formation. Aside from a few scares from Hugo Ekitiké, Leeds succeeded in a fairly uneventful first half. The visitors started strong, testing Liverpool with several early corners that Slot's team (now without a set-piece coach after Aaron Briggs' departure) managed to clear. After that, Liverpool controlled possession, with Jeremie Frimpong standing out on the right. Liverpool's play had more energy and accuracy than usual, but clear chances were still hard to come by.
Slot's team had three chances to score in the first half, all involving Ekitiké. After a good exchange with Curtis Jones, the French player cut inside Gabriel Gudmundsson and forced Lucas Perri to make a save at his near post. The Leeds goalkeeper bobbled the shot, and James Justin made a timely intercept to stop Florian Wirtz from scoring the rebound.
Leeds, now under pressure, almost got caught out by Ibrahima Konaté's long ball. Ekitiké broke free from Bijol, who then held the forward as he entered the area. Ekitiké stayed on his feet and passed to Wirtz, who was stopped by another good challenge from Justin. The striker's penalty appeals were turned down by the referee, Chris Kavanagh.
Ekitiké's frustration grew when he missed his best chance. After Frimpong retrieved an Andy Robertson cross and sent the ball back into Leeds' six-yard box, the striker headed the ball poorly, hitting Perri while facing an open goal. Frimpong's cross was fast, and Ekitiké was likely surprised it reached him, but a player of his talent would usually score that.
Leeds' best chance came from an Alisson mistake. The Liverpool keeper made a bad clearance, sending the ball straight to Ethan Ampadu, who shot it back towards Alisson's goal. The Brazilian recovered just in time to save his own error. A small positive for Alisson was his 100th clean sheet in the league for Liverpool. He's only the fifth goalkeeper in the club's history to reach that mark, following Ray Clemence, Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina, and Elisha Scott.
The game became messy, with not much quality or excitement. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from a one-game suspension against Wolves, tested Perri from a distance. The keeper palmed away Szoboszlai's shot, and Ampadu handled the rebound while trying to clear it, giving Liverpool a free kick 19 yards out. Wirtz's weak attempt, hitting straight into the Leeds wall, summed up the game. Ampadu was booked for the handball and will miss the next game against Manchester United due to suspension.
Slot made three substitutions in the 66th minute to try and add some urgency to Liverpool's play. Soon after, Virgil van Dijk almost celebrated his eighth anniversary of joining Liverpool by heading in a goal from a Szoboszlai corner. The header bounced just wide of Perri's top corner.
Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his scoring form and given Leeds the lead from Gudmundsson's cross in the 81st minute. The striker beat Van Dijk and Alisson to Sebastiaan Bornauw's pass before scoring from close range, but he was slightly offside. Anton Stach also threatened the visitors late on, but after his first shot from substitute Noah Okafor's cross was blocked, he skied the second attempt.
THE SHOCK REASON HUGO EKITIKE WAS SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM THE LIVERPOOL SQUAD TODAY
Hugo Ekitike is a shock absentee for Liverpool! Discover how Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz will lead the attack against Fulham.
Liverpool’s lineup is set for their Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage, and there are a few changes.
First off, Hugo Ekitike misses out. He started the 0-0 draw with Leeds on New Year’s Day and has scored 11 goals this season, but he picked up a minor injury. So, he doesn’t even make the squad for this one, and Cody Gakpo steps in to take his place up front.
Florian Wirtz, who’s been nursing a hamstring problem, had to come off during the Leeds match to manage his minutes. He’s fit enough now, though, and starts against Fulham.
Liverpool is already without Alexander Isak through injury and Mohamed Salah, who’s away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Now, with Ekitike sidelined too, Arne Slot’s options up front are looking pretty thin.
Ekitike has scored eight goals in eighteen league matches, though he hasn’t found the net in his last two games against Wolves and Leeds. Before that, he was on a hot streak with five goals in three matches.
So, Gakpo will lead the line in West London, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz supporting him. Liverpool is going into this match without a traditional striker.
Gakpo’s one of three changes to the starting eleven. Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister also come in, while Jeremie Frimpong and Andrew Robertson drop to the bench.
Joe Gomez is back in the matchday squad after missing three games with a muscle injury. He’s among the substitutes and could feature if needed.
Liverpool wants to bounce back after that goalless draw with Leeds and stretch their seven-game unbeaten run in the league, even without Ekitike.
Here’s how they’ll line up: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz.
On the bench: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ramsay, and Ngumoha.
THE REAL REASON FLORIAN WIRTZ ONLY TRAINED ONCE BEFORE THE FULHAM MATCH
Arne Slot faces an injury crisis as Liverpool visits Fulham. Get the latest on Florian Wirtz's hamstring and Joe Gomez's return.
Here's how Liverpool's lineup might look for Sunday's game against Fulham in the Premier League.
Arne Slot will be happy to have Joe Gomez back for the match, even if his options are a bit limited right now.
Gomez was playing well at right-back before he had a muscle problem in the win over Brighton. He brought some stability to the position while Conor Bradley was dealing with fitness issues, Jeremie Frimpong was out, and Dominik Szoboszlai was filling in.
Gomez's defensive skills were also helpful to Ibrahima Konate in early December. Liverpool then went on an eight-game unbeaten run, which helped steady things, though questions remain about their attack.
Slot said Gomez would be back in training on Friday, so he could be in the running to play. However, Bradley will likely keep his spot. Frimpong, who has played well recently, is also an option at right-back. Slot suddenly has a lot of choices there, which is a change from recent months.
The same is true on the left, where Milos Kerkez will compete with Andy Robertson for a place in the team. Robertson started the last game against Leeds, but Kerkez could be back in for this one at Craven Cottage. Konate will continue to partner with Virgil van Dijk.
In midfield, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are hoping to start again, but will Alexis Mac Allister return? He came on as a substitute against Leeds and hasn't been as good as he was last season.
He's not the only one, but if Szoboszlai plays on the right wing, as he has been recently, then Mac Allister should be in line to return. A lot depends on where Frimpong plays.
The big question is what Slot will do with Florian Wirtz. The German player had a good December, including scoring the equalizing goal against Sunderland and the winning goal against Wolves. But Slot said after the Leeds game that they were a bit worried about his hamstring. It's a tricky situation.
Florian only trained once this week because he still felt his hamstring a bit, Slot said. We're trying to be careful without hurting our chances of winning. Missing another game would be a bigger problem if it takes five, six, or seven weeks.
If they decide not to risk Wirtz, Cody Gakpo is ready to replace him on the left. But whoever plays there, Hugo Ekitike needs more help scoring goals. He didn't score against Leeds, and none of his teammates stepped up to help.
With Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak recovering from a broken leg, Slot needs all the goalscorers he can get. It would be great if Gakpo could get back to his best in London.
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