🔗 Share this article

A pair of undefeated runs remained intact at Anfield, however solely one team could derive real satisfaction from the result. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the persistent issues behind the reigning champions' latest upturn.

Defensive Masterclass Secures Vital Point

A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily due to the immense dominance of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish performance.

"If I don't utilise the whole squad and we have a schedule like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his past couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first displayed more energy and precision than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. Their best moments in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to find the target with his best opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable opportunity came from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian keeper sent a wayward clearance directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back down the centre was saved by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, returning from a ban, forced a save from Perri from range. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a three substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his team in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal streak for the visitors in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, both sides had to accept a share of the spoils.