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Two undefeated runs remained intact at Anfield, however only one team could derive genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a perfect game plan of frustrating and restricting the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues behind the current champions' recent recovery.

Defensive Masterclass Secures Vital Point

A lacklustre goalless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely due to the defensive solidity of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a laboured display.

"If I do not use the entire 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 protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's primary moments in the first half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his front 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 sprinted clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Opportunities Prove Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a glance that hit the Perri while facing an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian keeper played a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty affair, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from a ban, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a triple change to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two teams had to accept a single of the spoils.