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A pair of unbeaten records remained intact at Anfield, however only one team could take real satisfaction from the result. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent issues behind the reigning title holders' recent upturn.

Resolute Display Secures Vital Point

A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely attributable to the immense solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a compact Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the stadium at the full-time signal on a laboured performance.

"Should I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would not make changes," the manager stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his past 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 heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool initially showed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the right side. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's primary openings in the first period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, requiring a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting 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 waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he failed to hit the net with his best chance. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a header that struck the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced keeper sent a wayward clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty affair, low on incident. The midfielder, back from a ban, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

Slot introduced a triple substitution to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side in ahead from a set-piece, his effort flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his scoring run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.