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A pair of undefeated runs remained intact at Anfield, however solely one side could take real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the lingering issues behind the current title holders' recent recovery.

Resolute Masterclass Secures Crucial Point

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely due to the defensive dominance of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's inability to break down a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were limited to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final signal on a laboured display.

"Should I do not utilise the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would not make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent history was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first showed more energy and precision than in recent matches, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. However, golden opportunities were scarce. Their best openings in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, requiring 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 impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to find the target with his clearest chance. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker miscued a header that hit the Perri while facing an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper played a careless pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The match descended into a bitty encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting scramble led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

The Liverpool manager made a three change to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in front from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the final stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a single of the spoils.