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A pair of unbeaten records continued in place at Anfield, but only one side could derive real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the persistent issues within the reigning title holders' recent upturn.

Resolute Display Earns Crucial Result

A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the defensive solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the famous ground at the final signal on a sluggish display.

"Should I do not utilise the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would not do this," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his past couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible shape but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and precision than in recent outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, golden chances were few and far between. Their primary openings in the opening period fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward drifted infield and drew a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, requiring a timely block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to find the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a glance that hit the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The experienced shot-stopper sent a careless pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back towards goal was saved by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a bitty affair, devoid on quality. The midfielder, back from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot introduced a three change to bring urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring run for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two sides had to accept a share of the points.