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A pair of unbeaten records continued in place at Anfield, but only one team could derive genuine contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the persistent limitations behind the reigning title holders' latest upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Secures Crucial Result

A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the defensive dominance of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' unit. The Merseysiders were limited to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the famous ground at the final whistle on a sluggish display.

"If I do not utilise the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his past couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially showed more zip and precision than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's best moments in the first period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to hit the target with his best chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Alisson mistake. The experienced keeper sent a wayward pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, low on quality. The midfielder, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a three change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his side in ahead from a corner, his effort flying just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his scoring run for Leeds in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a share of the points.