🔗 Share this article

Two undefeated runs remained in place at Anfield, but solely one side could derive genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a perfect game plan of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning title holders' latest upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Point

A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the immense solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' unit. Liverpool were limited to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the final whistle on a sluggish display.

"If I don't use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," the manager stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his past couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the flank. However, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. Their primary openings in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to find the target with his clearest opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker miscued a glance that hit the Perri while with an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian keeper played a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back down the centre was saved by the alert goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest descended into a bitty encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, back from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager introduced a three substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his team in ahead from a corner, his effort flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring run for the visitors in the final stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside call. Ultimately, both sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.