Preview: Liverpool start 2026 with home tie against Leeds UnitedShareThe clash at Anfield on Thursday evening sees two of the most in-form teams in the Premier League facing off. Yes, you did read that right. Liverpool and Leeds United rank fourth and fifth respectively in the current form table over the last five matches. By Sam McGuireThe story so farLiverpool have had a real Jekyll and Hyde season. The Premier League champions won five from five to kickstart the campaign before losing six of their next seven in the English top-flight. Right now, they’re on a six match unbeaten run in the league, winning five of those. They went from languishing in mid-table to sitting in fourth position in what felt like a blink of an eye. With Mohamed Salah away at AFCON, Florian Wirtz has stepped up over recent weeks. He posted an 8.4 FotMob rating against Brighton, an 8.6 against Spurs and then a 9.0 in the win over Wolves last weekend. During this three game period, he has a goal and an assist.Florian Wirtz’s last three gamesLeeds head to Merseyside unbeaten in their last five following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland last time out in the Premier League. During this run, they’ve beaten Crystal Palace (4-1) and Chelsea (3-1), while also managing a 3-3 draw with Liverpool. This form has seen them climb to 16th in the Premier League, six points clear of the relegation places. It’s been an impressive turnaround after a run of six defeats in seven had threatened to undo their positive start to the season. However, everything is delicately balanced right now. A few bad results and they’ll be right back in the battle to avoid the drop zone.Key Players Hugo Ekitike is a man in form for Liverpool. With Salah at AFCON and Alexander Isak out injured, the Frenchman has relished his role as the main man in attack for the Reds. He has five goals and an assist in his last four outings for the champions and this includes a two goal haul in the 3-3 draw with Leeds.ScreenshotFor Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the one to watch. The former Everton man has scored in each of his last six outings and has eight goals in total for Danial Farke’s side. Only Antoine Semenyo (nine), Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (19) have more goals than the Leeds United No. 9 this term.Team NewsThe visitors are without Sean Longstaff and Daniel James for the trip to Anfield. Liverpool, meanwhile, are without a host of names. Salah is away with Egypt at AFCON, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak aren’t expected to be back any time soon while Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić and Joe Gomez are still absent with various knocks. The good news for the hosts is that Dominik Szoboslzai has returned from his suspension having sat out of the win over Wolves.Prediction Both teams have momentum on their side which means both teams are likely going to score. Liverpool have the superior quality in attack, despite the noticeable absences, so we’re going with another 2-1 win for the hosts. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Liverpool start 2026 with home tie against Leeds UnitedThe clash at Anfield on Thursday evening sees two of the most in-form teams in the Premier League facing off. Yes, you did read that right. Liverpool and Leeds United rank fourth and fifth respectively in the current form table over the last five matches. By Sam McGuireThe story so farLiverpool have had a real Jekyll and Hyde season. The Premier League champions won five from five to kickstart the campaign before losing six of their next seven in the English top-flight. Right now, they’re on a six match unbeaten run in the league, winning five of those. They went from languishing in mid-table to sitting in fourth position in what felt like a blink of an eye. With Mohamed Salah away at AFCON, Florian Wirtz has stepped up over recent weeks. He posted an 8.4 FotMob rating against Brighton, an 8.6 against Spurs and then a 9.0 in the win over Wolves last weekend. During this three game period, he has a goal and an assist.Florian Wirtz’s last three gamesLeeds head to Merseyside unbeaten in their last five following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland last time out in the Premier League. During this run, they’ve beaten Crystal Palace (4-1) and Chelsea (3-1), while also managing a 3-3 draw with Liverpool. This form has seen them climb to 16th in the Premier League, six points clear of the relegation places. It’s been an impressive turnaround after a run of six defeats in seven had threatened to undo their positive start to the season. However, everything is delicately balanced right now. A few bad results and they’ll be right back in the battle to avoid the drop zone.Key Players Hugo Ekitike is a man in form for Liverpool. With Salah at AFCON and Alexander Isak out injured, the Frenchman has relished his role as the main man in attack for the Reds. He has five goals and an assist in his last four outings for the champions and this includes a two goal haul in the 3-3 draw with Leeds.ScreenshotFor Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the one to watch. The former Everton man has scored in each of his last six outings and has eight goals in total for Danial Farke’s side. Only Antoine Semenyo (nine), Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (19) have more goals than the Leeds United No. 9 this term.Team NewsThe visitors are without Sean Longstaff and Daniel James for the trip to Anfield. Liverpool, meanwhile, are without a host of names. Salah is away with Egypt at AFCON, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak aren’t expected to be back any time soon while Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić and Joe Gomez are still absent with various knocks. The good news for the hosts is that Dominik Szoboslzai has returned from his suspension having sat out of the win over Wolves.Prediction Both teams have momentum on their side which means both teams are likely going to score. Liverpool have the superior quality in attack, despite the noticeable absences, so we’re going with another 2-1 win for the hosts. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.