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A pair of undefeated runs remained intact at Anfield, but only one side could derive real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues behind the current champions' latest recovery.

Resolute Display Earns Crucial Point

A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' unit. Liverpool were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"If I don't utilise the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in incredible shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially displayed more energy and precision than in previous outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. Their primary openings in the first half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Missed Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to find the net with his best opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the attacker miscued a glance that struck the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their most notable opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced keeper sent a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort returned towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot introduced a triple substitution to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a set-piece, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.