Walk On: The Athletic FC's Liverpool show Unbeaten but uninspiring; Reds make flat start to 2026
Jan 2, 2026
Join James Pearce, Senior Liverpool correspondent for The Athletic, and Andy Jones, an insightful football writer, as they analyze Liverpool's frustrating start to 2026 following a goalless draw against Leeds. They delve into Wirtz's uneven performance and debate whether Ekitiké should have gone down for a penalty. The duo discusses the surprising exit of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs and the implications for the team. They also touch on January transfer plans and squad depth, raising concerns about center-back stability ahead of their upcoming match against Fulham.
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Uninspiring Unbeaten Run
- Liverpool's start to 2026 felt uninspiring despite remaining unbeaten.
- The team are low-event offensively and fail to create sustained threats, making draws like the Leeds game unsurprising.
Nervousness Kills Tempo
- Liverpool show nervousness and reluctance to take risks, reducing tempo and crispness in passing.
- Opponents like Leeds were allowed to get set, nullifying Liverpool's chance creation.
Second-Half Confidence Drain
- Liverpool often fade in the second half as confidence drains and fear fills the team.
- Their best chance to score tends to be earlier in matches before energy and belief dip.