Liverpool: ‘Heavy metal? It’s not even aluminium foil football’

When the final whistle blew at Anfield, goalless draw The match against Leeds United sparked some booing from some sections of the home support.

This was the first time Liverpool had drawn 0–0 under Arne Slot and the first such result in 117 matches against Manchester United since December 2023.

Liverpool had not lost and Slot’s team extended their unbeaten run to eight games. But after a largely dull showing, a fan base emerged that shared their disappointment.

Liverpool have often been a difficult football team to watch this season.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Anfield fans have been spoiled over the past decade, from the Jurgen Klopp era to Slot winning the title in his first year at the club.

Standards are extremely high, and rightfully so for a club of this size, but against a Leeds side who were promoted to the Premier League last season, Liverpool looked one-dimensional and lacked the quality to get past the visiting teams and their 5-4-1 formation.

Bar Jeremie Frimpong, who had the pace to easily get past some Leeds players but perhaps couldn’t get the finishing touch, had few moments that got fans off their seats.

This was not the start to the New Year that Liverpool, Slot or Anfield fans would have wished for.

A BBC Sport reader summed up the fanbase’s feelings in our live transcript.

“Liverpool still look like they’re missing a piece,” said Jan from Rye.

“This isn’t heavy metal football, it’s not even tinfoil football.”