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A pair of unbeaten runs continued in place at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a perfect game plan of frustrating and restricting the hosts, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the lingering issues within the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Point

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the immense solidity of the excellent defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a well-drilled Leeds unit. Liverpool were limited to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the final signal on a laboured display.

"If I don't use the entire 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 past couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Liverpool at first displayed more energy and sharpness than in recent outings, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. Nevertheless, golden chances were scarce. Their best openings in the first half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France international cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a timely intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to find the net with his best opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a glance that struck the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a wayward pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from a ban, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager introduced a triple substitution to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring streak for Leeds in the final stages, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two teams had to accept a single of the points.