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A pair of unbeaten runs remained intact at Anfield, however solely one side could derive genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the lingering issues behind the current champions' recent upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Result

A drab goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily due to the defensive dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the home side's failure to break down a well-drilled Leeds defence. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"If I don't use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his past couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially displayed more zip and precision than in previous matches, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. However, golden chances were few and far between. The home side's best openings in the opening period fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international cut inside and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper spilled the shot, requiring a timely intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away.

Missed Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to hit the target with his clearest opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that struck the goalkeeper while facing an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was saved by the recovering Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest descended into a bitty encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

The Liverpool manager made a triple substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the final stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a marginal offside. Ultimately, the two sides had to accept a share of the spoils.