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Two unbeaten runs remained intact at Anfield, but solely one team could derive real satisfaction from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the lingering issues within the current title holders' recent upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Secures Crucial Point

A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely due to the immense dominance of the outstanding defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's failure to break down a well-drilled Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a laboured display.

"If I don't utilise the whole squad and we have a schedule 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 history was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team at first showed more energy and sharpness than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Are Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to find the target with his clearest chance. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that struck the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced shot-stopper sent a wayward pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot back down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a scrappy affair, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The resulting scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a three change to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring run for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.