🔗 Share this article Leeds Hold Liverpool at Arm's Length to Earn Hard-Fought Draw at Anfield A pair of unbeaten runs remained intact at Anfield, but only one side could take genuine contentment from the outcome. Leeds United executed a textbook strategy of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations behind the reigning champions' latest recovery. Defensive Masterclass Secures Vital Result A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was primarily due to the defensive dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's failure to unlock a compact Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the famous ground at the full-time signal on a sluggish display. "If I do not use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past history was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart." The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third Liverpool initially displayed more energy and sharpness than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. The home side's best moments in the first period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, requiring a timely block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball. Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed. Spurned Opportunities Prove Costly Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to hit the target with his best opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that struck the goalkeeper while with an open goal. At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian keeper played a careless pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back down the centre was gathered by the recovering Alisson. Scrappy Final Stages The match descended into a scrappy affair, devoid on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. Slot made a three change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a set-piece, his header flying just wide the post. Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal streak for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside call. In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.