🔗 Share this article

A pair of undefeated records remained in place at Anfield, but only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the persistent limitations behind the current champions' latest upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Vital Result

A lacklustre scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely attributable to the immense solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to break down a well-drilled visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"If I do not use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past history was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Liverpool initially displayed more zip and precision than in recent outings, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. Nevertheless, golden opportunities were scarce. The home side's best moments in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward drifted infield and drew a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to find the target with his best opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that struck the Perri while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Alisson mistake. The experienced keeper played a wayward clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, low on incident. The midfielder, back from a ban, tested Perri from range. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a three substitution to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side 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 the visitors in the closing minutes, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside call. Ultimately, the two teams had to accept a single of the points.