Liverpool defeated Wolves 2-1 in the Premier League this weekend, but there is still plenty they can improve on going into the match against Leeds United on New Year’s Day
Liverpool’s final game of 2025 saw them defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Anfield. Goals from Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch gave Arne Slot’s team the edge over their opponents, with the Reds now in fourth place.
Slot’s Reds had started the season well initially, winning five consecutive matches before going on a dismal losing run with only a couple of wins to save face. However, despite their injury woes, Liverpool seem to be on the up once more, but remain 10 points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Liverpool’s first match of 2026 will see them take on Leeds United at home. Despite experiencing an extended period of poor form, Leeds went unbeaten for four Premier League matches before their encounter against Sunderland and will be full of confidence going into the Liverpool tie. Ahead of this game, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the biggest stories coming out of Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk’s worrying talks
Captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that talks have taken place amid concerns surrounding Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses at set pieces and their game management. The set-piece issue was made obvious against Wolves when Santiago Bueno scored directly from a corner.
“There have been plenty of games when we have defended them very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough,” said Van Dijk.
“It’s about repetition, training, analysing… it’s something we have to improve. I’d say at least 75% of the time or even more, it’s not even about the first contact, it’s the second phase that is the killer.
“Is it a mental thing? I hope not. If that’s in your head then it’s an issue. Personally, it’s not in my head. We have defended so many set-pieces very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many goals like that and it hurts. We have to improve that. Training is the only way to get better at it.
“Each and every one of us has to take responsibility. It’s always going to be on the players. We can speak about how we defend and how we attack, but at the end of the day it’s about what the players put in.
“It’s not been good enough. We all realise that. We have spoken about that. We need to turn it around. That’s why we work on it almost every training session.”
Arne Slot singles out star for one reason
Slot has singled out Jeremie Frimpong following his performance against Wolves, citing his pace as something that can help Liverpool going forward.
“I think a lot has been said by so many people, including you guys (reporters) and me as well, about the amount of money we spent last summer,” he said. “No one talks about what we recouped because we sold so many.
“But from the players we bought, we unfortunately couldn’t see the best from Alex (Isak). Giovanni Leoni has been injured in his first game and Jeremie Frimpong has hardly been involved as well. It’s nice that we spent so much, and nobody talking about what we sold, but we were not always able to use the players we’ve brought in.
“Jeremie is a great example. Now, if he is fit, he can definitely help us. Last week he had the assist against Tottenham and today he had a great assist against Wolves. Pace, that is what he has. And that is so important and crucial in modern day football.
“To create something against a low back, teams that defend with so many players, usually teams break this down with set-pieces. That is not our biggest strength. To have him available with his pace… the first goal was pure individual ability, quick and the cutback, we were positioned in the right position.
“But that is the pace I always wanted to bring in with Hugo (Ekitike) and Jeremie and with Alex as well, but unfortunately not all of the money we have spent we have used and that is to do with the injuries of the players.”
