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Two unbeaten runs continued intact at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine satisfaction from the result. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the lingering limitations within the current champions' recent upturn.

Defensive Masterclass Earns Vital Result

A lacklustre scoreless stalemate, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely attributable to the defensive solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's failure to break down a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were limited to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"Should I do not use the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," the manager stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible shape but it's important I manage him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and precision than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. Their best openings in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international drifted infield and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, requiring a crucial 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 staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away.

Missed Opportunities Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker miscued a glance that struck the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper sent a wayward pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy affair, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz sent 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 side in ahead from a set-piece, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal streak for Leeds in the closing minutes, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, both teams had to accept a single of the points.