🔗 Share this article

A pair of undefeated runs continued intact at Anfield, but only one side could take genuine contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering limitations within the current title holders' latest recovery.

Resolute Display Secures Crucial Point

A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the immense dominance of the excellent defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the home side's inability to break down a compact visitors' defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a sluggish display.

"Should I do not utilise the whole squad 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 know his past history was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team at first displayed more energy and sharpness than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. However, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. Their best openings in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to hit the net with his clearest opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while facing an unguarded net.

For Leeds, their clearest sight of goal came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper sent a careless pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty affair, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from a ban, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

The Liverpool manager made a triple change to bring impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a set-piece, his header flying just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal streak for Leeds in the closing minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, both teams had to accept a single of the spoils.