Key Highlights
- After a 2025 that lurched from the sublime to the ridiculous, the Premier League champions will hope their insipid display in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Leeds United does not set the tone for the months ahead. Last summer, many forecast that this would be a year in which Slot began to build a dynasty at Anfield.
- But with his team currently 12 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and sorely lacking the swagger which propelled them to the title last term, it is clear the Dutch manager's immediate focus must be on restoring some much-needed dynamism to their play. Following a torrid autumn in which Liverpool lost nine out of 12 games in all competitions, the festive period offered some green shoots of recovery, with Inter Milan, Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur among the opponents vanquished in recent weeks. But while the stalemate with Daniel Farke's side means the Reds are now unbeaten in eight matches and a point closer in the table to third-placed Aston Villa, the atmosphere at Anfield on Thursday was far from celebratory, as familiar problems reared their heads and Liverpool too often looked devoid of ideas.- Ogden, Marcotti: The January transfer window moves Liverpool should make - Darke: Premier League Best XI: Who stands out halfway through season?
- Ogden: Don't expect Chelsea to hire an elite coach after Maresca splitIt was the first 0-0 draw of Slot's 84-game tenure and Liverpool's first since December 2023, when they were held at home by Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.
- It was also only the fourth time Liverpool had failed to score in the Premier League since the start of last season.
- However, the fact that three of those shutouts have arrived in their last nine Premier League games reflects the Reds' recent attacking deficiencies. In the first half against Leeds, Liverpool showed glimpses of offensive promise; chiefly when the in-form Hugo Ekitike saw his close-range header saved by Lucas Perri after a powerful cross from Jeremie Frimpong.
