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A pair of unbeaten runs continued in place at Anfield, but solely one team could take real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues within the current title holders' latest upturn.

Resolute Display Secures Crucial Point

A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the defensive solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the Anfield side's failure to break down a compact visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the final signal on a laboured performance.

"If I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Frustration in the Final Third

Liverpool at first showed more energy and precision than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's primary moments in the first half involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, requiring a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to find the target with his clearest chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that struck the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a careless pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy affair, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager introduced a three substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, both sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.