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Two undefeated records continued in place at Anfield, but only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent issues behind the reigning champions' recent recovery.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Vital Point

A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily due to the defensive dominance of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's failure to unlock a compact Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final signal on a sluggish display.

"If I do not utilise the whole squad and we have a schedule like this, I would not make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's best moments in the first half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Prove Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to hit the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the striker miscued a header that struck the Perri while facing an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back down the centre was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The match descended into a bitty affair, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from a ban, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

The Liverpool manager introduced a three substitution to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring run for Leeds in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside. Ultimately, both sides had to accept a single of the points.