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Two undefeated runs remained in place at Anfield, however only one side could derive real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations behind the current champions' recent recovery.

Defensive Masterclass Secures Crucial Result

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the initial in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely due to the immense solidity of the outstanding defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a compact Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish display.

"Should I do not utilise the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," the manager stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the opening period fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a header that struck the Perri while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Alisson error. The experienced keeper sent a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, giving Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

Slot introduced a triple substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a corner, his header flying just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside. Ultimately, the two teams had to accept a share of the points.