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A pair of unbeaten runs continued intact at Anfield, but only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning champions' latest recovery.

Defensive Masterclass Earns Vital Result

A drab goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily due to the defensive dominance of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's failure to break down a well-drilled visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final whistle on a laboured performance.

"If I don't utilise the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more energy and sharpness than in previous matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's primary moments in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the shot, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Missed Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a glance that hit the Perri while with an open goal.

For Leeds, their clearest opportunity came from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper played a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, tested Perri from range. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a three substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal streak for Leeds in the final stages, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two sides had to accept a single of the spoils.