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Two unbeaten records remained intact at Anfield, but only one side could derive genuine satisfaction from the result. Leeds United executed a textbook strategy of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations within the reigning champions' latest recovery.

Defensive Display Earns Vital Point

A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily due to the immense dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's inability to break down a compact visitors' defence. Liverpool were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a sluggish performance.

"If I do not use the entire group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first showed more energy and sharpness than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. The home side's best moments in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the effort, needing a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to hit the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker miscued a header that hit the goalkeeper while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced keeper played a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a bitty affair, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a promising area, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot made a triple change to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in ahead from a corner, his effort flying just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, both sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.