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Two unbeaten runs remained in place at Anfield, however solely one side could take real contentment from the result. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent limitations within the reigning champions' latest recovery.

Defensive Display Earns Vital Point

A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the Anfield side's inability to break down a well-drilled Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the stadium at the final whistle on a laboured display.

"Should I do not use the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent history was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. The home side's best moments in the opening half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to hit the net with his best chance. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a glance that struck the goalkeeper while facing an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The contest descended into a bitty encounter, low on quality. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

Slot introduced a triple change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in ahead from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

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