🔗 Share this article

A pair of undefeated runs continued intact at Anfield, but solely one team could take genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning champions' latest upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Crucial Point

A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense solidity of the excellent defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to break down a well-drilled Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the famous ground at the final signal on a laboured display.

"If I do not use the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would never 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 shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially showed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. Their best moments in the first half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and drew a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he failed to find the target with his clearest opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker miscued a glance that hit the Perri while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a scrappy affair, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from a ban, forced a save from Perri from range. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a triple change to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his team in front from a set-piece, his effort flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring streak for the visitors in the final stages, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two teams had to accept a single of the points.