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Two undefeated runs continued in place at Anfield, but only one side could derive real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and restricting the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the lingering issues within the current title holders' latest recovery.

Resolute Display Secures Crucial Point

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was largely attributable to the immense solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish display.

"If I don't utilise the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Liverpool at first showed more zip and precision than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the flank. However, golden opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the opening period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, needing a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Missed Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to hit the net with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the attacker miscued a header that hit the Perri while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper played a wayward pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy affair, low on quality. The midfielder, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a triple change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring run for the visitors in the final minutes, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside. Ultimately, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.