🔗 Share this article

Two undefeated records remained intact at Anfield, however solely one team could take real satisfaction from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a textbook strategy of frustrating and restricting the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering limitations within the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Resolute Masterclass Secures Crucial Point

A drab goalless stalemate, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily due to the defensive solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's inability to break down a compact Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish display.

"If I don't utilise the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his past couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Frustration in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with the right wing-back influential on the right side. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. Their primary openings in the opening half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, needing a crucial block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian keeper sent a careless pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

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

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside. In the end, the two sides had to accept a single of the spoils.