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Two undefeated records continued intact at Anfield, however solely one team could take genuine contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook strategy of frustrating and containing Liverpool, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the lingering issues within the current champions' latest recovery.

Defensive Masterclass Earns Vital Result

A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely due to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled Leeds unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"If I do not utilise the whole squad and we have a schedule like this, I would never make changes," the manager explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his past couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the emotion."

Liverpool's Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. The home side's primary openings in the first period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the effort, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his best opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a header that struck the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net.

At the other end, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Alisson error. The experienced shot-stopper sent a careless clearance directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort returned towards goal was gathered by the alert goalkeeper.

Turgid Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from suspension, tested Perri from range. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, giving the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot introduced a three substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his scoring run for Leeds in the final minutes, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a single of the spoils.