🔗 Share this article Leeds Keep Liverpool at Arm's Length to Earn Hard-Fought Point at Anfield A pair of unbeaten runs continued in place at Anfield, but only one side could derive genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a textbook strategy of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues within the reigning champions' latest recovery. Resolute Masterclass Earns Crucial Point A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's inability to unlock a well-drilled visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a laboured display. "Should I don't use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his recent history was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion." The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third Liverpool initially showed more energy and sharpness than in recent outings, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. Their best openings in the first half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké. Following a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the effort, requiring a timely intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball. Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away. Missed Opportunities Are Pivotal Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to hit the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker miscued a header that hit the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net. At the other end, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced keeper played a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper. Scrappy Final Stages The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz sent into the defence. Slot introduced a triple substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his effort flying just past the post. Late introduction 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 teams had to settle for a single of the spoils.