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Two undefeated records remained in place at Anfield, however only one side could derive real contentment from the result. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues behind the reigning champions' recent upturn.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Crucial Result

A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was primarily 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' defence. Liverpool were limited to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of boos echoed around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a sluggish display.

"Should I don't use the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," the manager stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. Nevertheless, golden chances were scarce. Their primary openings in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the shot, needing a crucial block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Opportunities Prove Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal came from an Alisson error. The experienced shot-stopper sent a wayward clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Conclusion

The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

The Liverpool manager introduced a triple substitution to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side in ahead from a set-piece, his header flying just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside call. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a single of the spoils.