Liverpool have confirmed key team news ahead of their Premier League meeting with Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day, with several returning players but notable absences shaping the Reds’ latest selection headache. 
Confirmed & Latest Team News
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is set to return from suspension, offering manager Arne Slot a major boost in the creative engine room. However, Liverpool will still be without several first-team regulars. Striker Alexander Isak remains sidelined with a long-term ankle injury, while defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Wataru Endo continue their recoveries.
Mohamed Salah is unavailable as he competes at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, leaving the Reds light in attack. On a brighter note, Cody Gakpo has returned from injury and could feature off the bench, reducing some of the selection strain. Defender Conor Bradley is also back in full training and in contention to make the squad after missing recent matches with a muscle issue.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke also offered an injury update, confirming there are no fresh fitness concerns but that long-term absentees like Sean Longstaff and Daniel James remain sidelined. Centre-back Joe Rodon is a doubt after hobbling off in Leeds’ last outing.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Leeds (4-2-3-1)
With the Reds missing key attackers, the likely lineup could see a blend of returning stars and in-form performers:
GK: Alisson
DEF: Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
MID: Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones
ATT: Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz
ST: Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is expected to lead the line for Liverpool after stepping up during the absence of Salah and Isak, with the French forward enjoying a strong run of form and goals. Slot could also manage minutes carefully given a congested schedule, mixing freshness with tactical balance
Injury Watch & Absentees
Major Liverpool absentees include Isak, Gomez, Endo, Giovanni Leoni (long-term), and Salah (AFCON). Leeds, meanwhile, must decide whether Rodon is fit and could rely on Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to trouble the Liverpool defence after their impressive recent performances.
This will be Liverpool’s first fixture of 2026, resuming a season of mixed fortunes. The Reds have shown good form recently, remaining unbeaten across multiple matches in all competitions, but defensive fragilities—particularly from set pieces—remain a concern. � Leeds enter the fixture unbeaten in their last five outings, making them a motivated and potentially dangerous opponent at Anfield. �
reuters.com
This Is Anfield
Stay tuned for full confirmed lineups closer to kickoff as both teams finalise their squads.
