Hugo Ekitike appealed for a penalty during the Reds’ Premier League clash with Leeds United after a tussle with defender Jaka Bijol
17:57, 01 Jan 2026
Hugo Ekitike appealed for a penalty during Liverpool’s clash with Leeds United(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher issued a quick verdict on Liverpool’s appeals for a penalty during their Premier League clash with Leeds United. The Reds were taking on the Whites in their New Year’s Day fixture in the top flight at Anfield.
Liverpool went into the game looking to get another victory having beaten Wolves 2-1 on home soil in their previous fixture.
Arne Slot’s side were in fourth place in the Premier League table heading into the game and had the chance to close the gap on third-placed Aston Villa with a win.
The early minutes of the game saw Liverpool dominate possession and Florian Wirtz had the first major opportunity for the Reds to take the lead, before his close-range effort was blocked by Leeds defender James Justin.
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Moments before Wirtz’s effort, Hugo Ekitike was battling for possession in the penalty area with Jaka Bijol. There were brief appeals for a penalty after Liverpool’s chance to score was denied, with Carragher offering his verdict while on commentary.
“If he [Ekitike] goes down, he probably gets a penalty, but he’s trying to score a goal,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“I think the defender probably does enough to make sure he doesn’t give a penalty (away). Brilliant from Ekitike, what centre forward play that was.”
Liverpool would also have been hoping to get all three points against Leeds, having missed out on the victory in the reverse fixture between the two clubs.
The Reds were forced to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw at Elland Road in December, with Liverpool conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to deny them a victory in their trip to Yorkshire.
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