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A pair of undefeated runs remained in place at Anfield, however only one side could take real satisfaction from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations within the reigning title holders' latest upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Vital Result

A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the defensive solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's inability to break down a well-drilled Leeds defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a laboured display.

"Should I do not utilise the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his past history was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially displayed more energy and precision than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. However, golden chances were few and far between. Their primary moments in the first half involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to find the net with his best opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a glance that hit the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward clearance directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back towards goal was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match descended into a bitty affair, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, tested Perri from range. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a three change to bring impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, both teams had to settle for a single of the points.