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Two unbeaten records remained in place at Anfield, however only one side could take genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues within the reigning champions' recent upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Secures Crucial Point

A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the defensive solidity of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' unit. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final signal on a laboured performance.

"If I don't utilise the whole squad and we have a schedule like this, I would not do this," the manager explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible shape but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

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

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the effort, needing a timely intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were dismissed.

Missed Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker miscued a glance that hit the Perri while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Alisson error. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned towards goal was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest descended into a bitty affair, low on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a three substitution to inject impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in ahead from a corner, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring streak for the visitors in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside call. In the end, the two teams had to accept a single of the points.