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Two undefeated runs continued in place at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a perfect strategy of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the lingering issues behind the reigning champions' recent upturn.

Defensive Display Secures Crucial Result

A lacklustre goalless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely attributable 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 well-drilled visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a laboured display.

"If I do not utilise the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past history was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong influential on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. Their primary openings in the first half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward drifted infield and drew a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the effort, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were waved away.

Missed Opportunities Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker miscued a glance that struck the Perri while facing an unguarded net.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a careless pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot returned down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match descended into a bitty affair, low on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a three change to inject impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring run for Leeds in the final stages, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.