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Two undefeated runs continued in place at Anfield, however solely one team could take genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering limitations within the reigning champions' recent upturn.

Defensive Display Earns Vital Point

A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's inability to unlock a compact Leeds defence. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the final signal on a sluggish display.

"If I do not utilise the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would never make changes," the manager explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past couple of years was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team at first showed more energy and precision than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the flank. Nevertheless, golden chances were scarce. The home side's primary openings in the first period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and drew a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the shot, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to hit the net with his best chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that hit the Perri while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian keeper played a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort returned towards goal was saved by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The match descended into a bitty affair, devoid on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a triple substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in ahead from a corner, his header flying just wide the post.

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