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Two unbeaten runs remained intact at Anfield, but solely one side could derive genuine satisfaction from the result. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations within the current champions' latest upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Crucial Point

A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the defensive dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's failure to break down a compact Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were limited to speculative opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the stadium at the final signal on a sluggish display.

"If I do not utilise the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent history was difficult. He is in incredible shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the right side. However, golden chances were scarce. Their best openings in the opening half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the effort, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Are Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to hit the net with his clearest chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker miscued a glance that struck the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced keeper sent a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, devoid on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot introduced a three substitution to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal streak for Leeds in the closing stages, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two sides had to accept a share of the points.