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A pair of undefeated records continued in place at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine satisfaction from the result. Leeds United carried out a perfect strategy of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering limitations behind the current champions' latest upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Point

A lacklustre goalless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the immense dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' defence. Liverpool were limited to speculative opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the famous ground at the final signal on a laboured display.

"Should I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would not do this," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent history was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

Liverpool's Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team at first displayed more zip and precision than in previous outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's best openings in the opening period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to find the target with his clearest chance. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a glance that hit the Perri while with an open goal.

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

Turgid Conclusion

The match descended into a bitty encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

The Liverpool manager made a three change to bring urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in front from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside. Ultimately, the two teams had to accept a single of the spoils.