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Two unbeaten runs remained in place at Anfield, but only one team could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent issues within the current champions' latest upturn.

Resolute Display Earns Crucial Result

A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' unit. The Merseysiders were limited to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the final whistle on a sluggish performance.

"Should I don't use the whole group and we have a fixture list 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 history was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. However, golden opportunities were few and far between. Their primary openings in the first period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Opportunities Prove Pivotal

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 misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal came from an Alisson error. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was gathered by the alert goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a bitty affair, devoid on quality. The midfielder, back from a ban, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a triple substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his side in front from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring streak for Leeds in the final minutes, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside call. In the end, both teams had to settle for a share of the points.