Liverpool predicted line-up vs Leeds as Arne Slot poised to make Jeremie Frimpong call

Liverpool boss Arne Slot could make two changes for the clash against Leeds United at Anfield, with the Reds set to welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai after a one-match suspension

Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai could start for Liverpool against Leeds

Liverpool begins 2026 with a tricky fixture against in-form Leeds United on New Year’s Day, as the Reds look to strengthen their top-four aspirations.

Tuesday’s results went in Liverpool’s favor, as Chelsea and Manchester United missed the opportunity to leapfrog the champions in the table, while third-place Aston Villa’s 11-game run came to an end at Arsenal.

It means that should Liverpool win at Anfield on Thursday, it will open a five-point gap to Chelsea in fifth place. But that won’t be a straightforward assignment against a Leeds side that has pulled clear of the relegation zone, courtesy of a five-match unbeaten run, a streak which includes the 3-3 draw at Elland Road in early December.

Liverpool's hopes of gaining all three points this time around will be boosted by the return of Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Hungary captain was suspended for the weekend win over Wolverhampton Wanderers after picking up a fifth booking of the Premier League season.

Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo also came off the bench, with Arne Slot’s squad looks a lot healthier heading into the new year.

Slot has a greater depth of options to choose from than in recent weeks(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

However, it remains without Mohamed Salah, who made headlines for all the wrong reasons when these sides last met, due to his international commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo are expected to miss out through injury, while Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak are certainly unavailable.

Perhaps for Slot, the biggest question when selecting his line-up is whether to name his strongest XI, or rotate with two upcoming away matches at Fulham and Arsenal.

Szoboszlai is expected to return to the team against Leeds(Image: Getty Images)

The return of Bradley and Szoboszlai to the team is expected, likely replacing Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa.

The latter started his first Premier League match at Anfield on Saturday, but failed to impress against Wolves and was replaced after an hour.

Frimpong’s contribution was greater, but after his recent return from injury, naming the former Bayer Leverkusen man as a substitute against Leeds seems wise.

Frimpong completed the full 90 minutes at the weekend and provided the assist for Ryan Gravenberch’s opener.

They might be the only changes from the Wolves game, with Slot expected to stick with the players who have overseen the Reds' recent resurgence.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike.