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Two unbeaten records continued in place at Anfield, but only one side could take genuine satisfaction from the result. Daniel Farke's men executed a textbook game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering limitations behind the reigning title holders' recent upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Crucial Result

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely due to the immense dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to break down a compact visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were limited to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the famous ground at the full-time signal on a laboured display.

"If I don't utilise the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would not make changes," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. Nevertheless, golden chances were few and far between. Their primary openings in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper spilled the shot, needing a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to find the target with his clearest opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker miscued a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper sent a wayward pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The resulting scramble resulted in 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 substitution to bring urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his side in ahead from a corner, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring run for Leeds in the final minutes, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.