Farke on 'encouraging' league position, transfer window and Man Utdpublished at 13:36 GMT 2 January
13:36 GMT 2 January
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Elland Road (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He said it will "be difficult" to face Manchester United without Ethan Ampadu - who will miss Sunday's game through suspension - but it is about finding another "solution" like they have all season.
On being seven points clear of the relegation zone: "It's a really good sign. What has been encouraging is the performances and the competitive nature in the games. It is good but we have to stay awake."
Farke went on to say they "are confident and happy" with recent results, "but there is no time for complacency or not staying humble".
He said Sunday's game is "another fixture against a big name" and playing Manchester United "is special" because of the rivalry between the two clubs.
More on facing United: "There is less time to recover, but it is a home game and at Elland Road we have a chance to fulfil the dreams of our supporters."
On the January transfer window: "Nothing to speak of yet. Nothing will happen before the FA Cup weekend. I don't expect anything major. This group has achieved a lot."
'I'm really proud of everyone'published at 10:33 GMT 2 January
10:33 GMT 2 January
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Jaka Bijol spoke to BBC Radio Leeds after the Whites'goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield: "It was a good team performance. I feel like we connected really well as a group and everyone gave 100%. If someone made a small mistake, there was someone else there to correct that.
"We deserved the clean sheet. We just have the continue working and improving every week."
On manager Daniel Farke rotating his squad: "Everyone in the team deserves to play. Everyone on the training ground gives their best and waits for their chance. Only 11 can play and when they get it [their chance to play], they show their quality.
"I am really proud of everyone and how we manage this situation. Playing every three days is not easy. There has to be some rotation and the coach does that really well."
Adam: Pedestrian and flat. It seems now that this is the way Arne Slot wants them to play by 'sensibly' trying to wear the opposition down. It's not our way. We attack with energy and urgency. Most of all, we entertain. This isn't happening under Slot and I can't see it changing.
Alex: Liverpool are really unimaginative right now, lacking in creativity and zip. Slot needs to wake up.
MC: Crowd was quiet as no real excitement on the pitch. Slow. Sluggish. Ponderous in attack. Where has the fire gone?
John: Florian Wirtz is clearly a good player and he was bought at high cost for a game like this, where he could make a telling pass or incisive dribble to break through a determined and well-drilled defence. Unfortunately, he seems to be finding it a lot harder to do in the Premier League than in Germany. We needed those skills on Thursday. Fortunately, he's young and hopefully will improve.
Seth: Lethargic, no creativity, no intensity. The result is poor, but the performance is unacceptable. Unclear what Slot's plan really is - lots of possession, no attacking threat, and poor defensively (very susceptible to counter-attacks and set-pieces). Rio Ngumoah and Jeremie Frimpong were the only two players looking to be positive. Lost for words on Liverpool this season. We are going backwards.
Leeds fans
Dawn: Leeds are looking really well drilled. Another solid display and could have taken all three points. Manchester United next up at the weekend. Let's hope it's a good battle and a memorable game harping back to the type of game fought during the 1990s.
Benno: Not pretty but very gritty - we need points like this if we are going to survive. Great confidence boost as we continue in a rich vein of form.
Thomas: Four changes, a clean sheet and Liverpool created very few chances, so a massive result going forward. A little bit of better luck with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's offside and it's a big win. So difficult for players to come into a side when not having many minutes, but they didn't look out of place in the formation. It's a massive plus when you know you have squad players who can do a job. Big pat on the back to Daniel Farke as well - the players are certainly playing for him.
Ian: A brave decision in team selection by Farke, but his team did him proud. A marginal offside could have seen DCL win it for Leeds. Leeds are showing the spirit that should keep them up.
Graham: True Yorkshire grit and determination to get something out of the game! They're proving that they can compete at this level. Onwards and upwards from here.
Have Farke's side 'turned a corner'?published at 08:44 GMT 2 January
08:44 GMT 2 January
Match of the Day pundit Steph Houghton discussed Leeds United's performance against Liverpool and their recent development under boss Daniel Farke.
Former England captain Houghton spoke particularly highly of Leeds' midfield three, saying that Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev "outran everyone on the pitch" and have been impressive at protecting the back four.
Liverpool 0-0 Leeds: What Farke saidpublished at 20:16 GMT 1 January
20:16 GMT 1 January
Media caption,
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC MOTD: "It doesn't come along that often that you get a clean sheet and a point at Anfield. We had to defend and suffer but we are newly promoted and came to the defending champions.
"There's always a special atmosphere on New Year's Day and you could feel that from the crowd but we performed well.
"The lads defended well and didn't allow clear cut chances. It's always important to be rock-solid against the ball and keep a clean sheet."
On Calvert-Lewin starting on the bench: "Sometimes the head has to win over the heart. We had four Premier League fixtures in 10 days and I have to trust my whole squad.
"We know what happened to Dominic in the last few years with injuries. Overall it was a sign of how much I trust the group."
On facing Manchester United next: "It will be tricky because we played late today and now we play early on Sunday.
"We will be without Ethan Ampadu after his yellow card today but we need to find solutions. We need to recover quickly."
Following their 3-3 draw at Elland Road last month, Leeds have avoided defeat against Liverpool home and away in a Premier League season for the first time since they won both matches in 2000-01.
Leeds are unbeaten against the reigning Premier League Champions (D2) in a season for the first time since 1994-95 against Manchester United (W1 D1).
Lucas Perri became the first Leeds goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool in all competitions since Nigel Martyn (April 1999) and first at Anfield since John Lukic (April 1995).
Liverpool v Leeds: Team newspublished at 16:56 GMT 1 January
16:56 GMT 1 January
Arne Slot makes three changes from Liverpool's win over Wolves with Dominik Szoboszlai returning from suspension.
Andy Robertson comes in for Milos Kerkez while Conor Bradley starts at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong on the right wing. Federico Chiesa drops to the bench.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike.
"There were loads of games that are all difficult on paper," Rix told BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. "Each time we have passed the test."
Leeds travel to Anfield on New Year's Day to face champions Liverpool in their latest tricky fixture, with age-old rivals Manchester United the visitors to Elland Road on Sunday.
Liverpool v Leeds: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 11:32 GMT 1 January
11:32 GMT 1 January
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool will try and stop in-form Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring for a seventh consecutive Premier League game when they meet at Anfield on Thursday (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Four wins on the bounce and seven games unbeaten in all competitions has steadied the ship at Anfield. Their three consecutive league wins has earned the Reds more points than the eight they managed across their previous 10 top-flight matches.
The shoots of recovery are there but they remain a long way from their best and were far from convincing in their 2-1 win against rock-bottom Wolves. Their failings from set pieces were again laid bare with Santiago Bueno's goal coming from a corner.
No top-flight side has conceded more goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) than Liverpool's 12 this season, while only West Ham (11) have let in more from corners than the Reds' seven.
At this point last season they were still to concede at all from a corner. Bad news for this fixture, then, that only Manchester United (13) have scored more goals from non-penalty set-pieces than Leeds's 12 this campaign.
In attack, things are not much better and Arne Slot's side have only scored three goals from non penalty set-pieces in the league. That difference of minus nine between conceding and scoring set-piece goals is currently the biggest in the Premier League in 2025-26.
As a result, set-piece coach Aaron Briggs left the club this week with defender Virgil van Dijk saying their problems in this area have been a "killer".
"There have been plenty of games when we have defended them very well," said the Liverpool skipper. But the fact is we've conceded too many set-piece goals and we don't score enough."
Meanwhile, resurgent Leeds are unbeaten in their past five league games and a win at Anfield would move them nine points clear of the bottom three.
The nine points they have won during this this run is one more than they had in their 12 previous league matches combined.
They have embraced a more direct approach in games and this has paid off in style, particularly to get the best out of striker Calvert-Lewin.
His sensational run of form continued against Sunderland with a seventh goal in six top-flight matches.
He is only the 11th English player to score in six consecutive Premier League appearances, and the first since Joe Willock netted in seven in a row from April to May 2021. He's also the first Leeds player to achieve this in the top flight since John McCole in 1959-60.
Given their recent good form and the way they battled back to earn a 3-3 draw against the Reds in the reverse fixture in early December, Daniel Farke's side will be confident of securing consecutive league wins at Liverpool for the first time in their history following a 2-1 victory at Anfield in October 2022.
They are also targeting a rare victory against the reigning champions. Their only victory in their past 16 such games came via a famous Mark Viduka winner against Arsenal at Highbury in May 2003.
Who had the best 2025?published at 10:22 GMT 1 January
10:22 GMT 1 January
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
A normal Premier League season may run from August to May, but what happens if we stop the table now? What if it was only what happened in 2025 that counted?
With the calendar flicking over to 2026, this is the ideal time to check back on which teams have had an enjoyable 12 months and see who had a year to forget.
The top five is an accurate reflection of this season's top five (although it should be noted not all teams have played the same number of games).
Arsenal have led the way this campaign and, after coming up short last season, they will be striving to go one better to finally secure an elusive first Premier League trophy since 2004.
If looking just at the past 12 months, the title would be theirs, despite a number of draws early in 2025.
Having gone through their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola late in 2024 and early into 2025, alongside their initial poor start to this season, it may be surprising to find Manchester City so close at the top.
But a feature of this City side under Guardiola is their ability to recover from less than impressive starts and go on winning streaks - they are currently on a run of six wins in the league.
Aston Villa fans can look also back fondly on 2025, having experienced the return of Champions League football, secured more European football again this term and found themselves in a battle for the Premier League trophy.
They may have had a slow start this season but their general consistency in 2025 and a club record-equalling run of 11 straight wins in the final weeks catapults them into the top three.
Having won the title with ease last season, Liverpool fans can still revel in that achievement. But a drop-off at the end of 2024-25 and a poor run this time around leaves them fourth for the year.
Meanwhile, Chelsea made progress in 2025 under Enzo Maresca, with Champions League football and two bits of silverware, but a lack of consistency in a young team prevents them ascending higher than fifth.
When looking at the next five, there are perhaps some surprises.
With their FA Cup win, 2025 will go down in Crystal Palace's history, and their Premier League form has not been too shabby either as they compete with the teams that have occupied Champions League spots in recent seasons.
No Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa? No problem for Brentford. They may have had a summer of upheaval but that has not stopped the Bees buzzing as they continue to perform above expectations.
After a few years of struggles on and off the pitch, 2025 seems to be the one Everton fans can finally start to look up rather than down with the new stadium and return of David Moyes bringing much-needed stability.
Newcastle may have had a few ups and downs, but they have come good when needed and hold their own in the top six, while Brighton continue to establish themselves firmly in the top 10.
Find out how the bottom half of the table shapes up on the post below
Who struggled in 2025?published at 10:21 GMT 1 January
10:21 GMT 1 January
Now, what about those who may have had a less enjoyable 2025?
Manchester United continue to try to find their feet under Ruben Amorim. And while there have been glimmers of progress in recent weeks, a torrid first half of the year has left them with much room for improvement (and a draw with Wolves to end 2025 only added to the questions).
Bournemouth and Fulham both seem to have found consistency in their ability to be inconsistent.
There have been bursts of form from both, but also bouts of disappointment they might rather forget.
As for Nottingham Forest, 2025 may have been the year they returned to Europe for the first time in nearly three decades, but when it came to results in the league, particularly this season, it has been more of one to forget.
Under their third head coach of the season, they will hope 2026 does not bring the return of Championship football.
Like Forest, Tottenham's 12 months has been memorable for both the good and the bad.
A first trophy in 17 years was secured in the Europa League, but it has been far from impressive in the Premier League, managing just 11 wins from 37 matches and some pressure already building on boss Thomas Frank.
One of the most notable things about the bottom end of the calendar year table is the presence of all three promoted teams, despite two of the three having played a game less than the relegated clubs of last season.
With Leeds nine points better off and Sunderland 17, it highlights the disparity in how well this year's promoted sides have done in comparison to the previous three.
For the Black Cats, it has been a dream return to the top flight, including a recent win over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle, and in this season's table they find themselves just two points off fifth.
After overcoming a difficult patch, Leeds are also enjoying their return to the top table, slowly pulling themselves away from the danger spots.
It has been more of a struggle for Scott Parker's Burnley, but they will not lose hope with still half a campaign to go.
After recent successes with European football, domestically things have become a harder watch for West Ham supporters as they struggle to find the balance between good football and much-needed results
Then there is Wolves - and fans may want to look away.
Despite playing 20 Premier League games more, the West Midlands side accumulated only one point more than Sunderland across the year.
A win this term still eludes them and safety in 2026 appears a distant dream.
Check out how the top half of the table looked in the post above
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Leedspublished at 09:47 GMT 1 January
09:47 GMT 1 January
I correctly backed Leeds to get a point when these sides met Elland Road a few weeks back, but this is at Anfield and Liverpool look a lot more confident now.
This is a different Leeds too, of course. They have got real belief at the moment and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored seven goals in six games, is going to be hard to stop.
But Florian Wirtz seems to be coming to the fore for Liverpool now and they are building their confidence back up.
Arne Slot's side are back up to fourth place and although when you watch them you can see they have still got weaknesses in their team, I'm expecting them to make it four league wins in a row here.
It's not actually impossible that they could be back in the title race soon, either. After this game, Slot's side travel to Fulham and Arsenal next week so let's see where they are then.
'Lucky if you get these moments in your lifetime' - 2025 report cardpublished at 15:36 GMT 31 December 2025
15:36 GMT 31 December 2025
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Best memory and why?
The best memory of 2025 for me was 21 April. Leeds played Stoke City before Burnley hosted Sheffield United in a showdown for automatic promotion from the Championship. Two goals in two minutes at the start of the game sent Elland Road into a wild frenzy and it was 5-0 by half-time. Weeks of tension and anxiety evaporated from the team who played with the swagger of champions.
After the game, thousands stayed in the area to watch Burnley beat Sheffield United and confirm Leeds' promotion with a huge crowd gathering back outside the ground to celebrate. You are lucky if you get a few of these moments in your lifetime.
Worst moment and why?
Half-time at Etihad Stadium on 29 November. Recent losses to Burnley, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa had begun to bear down on the players, fans and manager and relegation was starting to look inevitable. Daniel Farke had been too predictable with his tactics, formation and substitutes. The German has since transformed the club, but at that moment his job was in doubt and the season looked bleak.
If I could drink a New Year's brew with one member of our squad/management it would be...
It would be Farke and I would ask him about his transfer plans and how he sees this team evolving in the long term. I would also ask how he turned Joe Rodon into a winger.
The thing that's infuriated me in 2025 is...
Brenden Aaronson's attacking output – but incredibly, over the past few months, he has improved greatly. If he can keep improving and working on his clarity, speed of decision-making and effectiveness in possession, he could turn into a solid Premier League player.
My gut tells me 2026 will bring...
Leeds United will stay in the Premier League and create a platform in the next summer transfer window to become an established top-tier team.
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🎧 Don't Go To Bed Just Yet signs off for 2025published at 14:47 GMT 31 December 2025
14:47 GMT 31 December 2025
The latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has just landed from BBC Radio Leeds.
Host Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix look back on Leeds United's final game of 2025 and an "excellent point" on the road at Sunderland on Sunday.
The team also preview the January transfer window and a New Year's Day trip to Anfield to face an improving Liverpool side.
Fearless football 'a joy to behold'published at 15:40 GMT 30 December 2025
15:40 GMT 30 December 2025
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
I was at the very entertaining 1-1 draw between Sunderland and Leeds on Sunday. In these days of entitlement at some clubs, it was great to see both teams applauded off by their own supporters at the end.
They were both right to do so. Leeds deserved the three points and their fans understood the team had given everything and created enough chances. Most importantly their recent exponential improvement has not petered out.
Sunderland, missing six players at Afcon and losing their talismanic centre-back Daniel Ballard to injury, know that this battling point could be vital in the coming months.
Two positive, attack-minded sides who have just come up from the Championship are playing fearless football which is a joy to behold.
As were the smiling faces of those fans at the end.
Farke on Rodon's injury, transfer window and Liverpoolpublished at 15:00 GMT 30 December 2025
15:00 GMT 30 December 2025
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Joe Rodon will miss "around three weeks" with an ankle ligament injury, with Farke adding the diagnosis is better than what they were "fearing".
Dan James and Sean Longstaff "need a bit more time to recover" before making their return, but there are no other injuries.
On Rodon's absence: "He is an integral part of our team, not only this season but has been for years. We have other players who can also play this position and we can be flexible in our formation."
Farke said he has "no plans" to move on any members of his squad as he likes their "tight group" and most players have been needed and called upon already this season.
More on the forthcoming transfer window: "I don't believe with working with a big group because it's important for togetherness and unity. We can perhaps improve our group a bit more, but no-one close to the first team group is to leave."
He said the club "is always attractive" to players because "it's such a big name with a huge fanbase and history". Farke went on to say they are viewed as "an exciting project" to any potential signings.
On opponents Liverpool, who Leeds held to a draw earlier in December: "It is more or less the same squad for both. Their form has picked up and it's a home game for them [which] makes it more challenging for us. It's a huge task but it's one we are looking forward to. We hope we can be competitive as we were in the first game."
Reflecting on the midway point of the season and how they are doing: "We know we are in a good position. In the last few seasons 20 points would have been already close to securing survival. We are on the right path, but nothing has been achieved yet."
He said Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland "have shown there is a chance for the promoted sides" after consecutive seasons of such teams being relegated.
