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Two undefeated runs continued in place at Anfield, however only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues within the current champions' recent upturn.

Resolute Display Earns Vital Result

A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the defensive solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the Anfield side's inability to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the full-time signal on a laboured display.

"Should I don't utilise the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would not make changes," Daniel Farke stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially showed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the effort, needing a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to hit the net with his best opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that struck the Perri while with an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their clearest opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The experienced shot-stopper played a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper.

Scrappy Conclusion

The contest descended into a bitty encounter, low on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

The Liverpool manager introduced a three change to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal streak for the visitors in the closing stages, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, both sides had to settle for a single of the points.