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A pair of unbeaten runs continued intact at Anfield, however only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent limitations within the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Vital Result

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, combined with the home side's failure to break down a compact visitors' unit. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the famous ground at the final whistle on a laboured display.

"If I do not use the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke 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 red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

Liverpool's Frustration in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. However, golden opportunities were scarce. Their primary moments in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward drifted infield and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the effort, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he failed to find the net with his best opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their clearest opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian keeper sent a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a scrappy affair, devoid on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The resulting scramble led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

The Liverpool manager introduced a three change to inject impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring streak for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside. Ultimately, the two teams had to accept a share of the points.