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Two unbeaten records remained in place at Anfield, however solely one side could derive real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues within the reigning title holders' recent upturn.

Defensive Masterclass Earns Crucial Point

A lacklustre goalless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent 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 boos echoed around the famous ground at the full-time signal on a laboured performance.

"If I don't use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his past history was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially showed more energy and precision than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. However, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best openings in the first half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper spilled the shot, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the target with his best opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker miscued a header that struck the Perri while with an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable opportunity came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort returned down the centre was saved by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a bitty affair, devoid on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a three change to bring urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a marginal offside call. Ultimately, both teams had to accept a share of the spoils.