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A pair of unbeaten records continued in place at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine satisfaction from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Defensive Display Earns Vital Result

A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the defensive dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the Anfield side's failure to break down a compact Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish performance.

"If I do not use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke stated. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent history was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first showed more energy and precision than in previous outings, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's primary moments in the opening half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international cut inside and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the shot, requiring a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Opportunities Prove Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he failed to hit the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that hit the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a wayward clearance directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot back towards goal was saved by the alert goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match descended into a bitty encounter, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a triple substitution to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside call. Ultimately, both sides had to accept a single of the spoils.