🔗 Share this article The Whites Hold Liverpool at Bay to Earn Valuable Draw at Anfield A pair of undefeated records continued intact at Anfield, but solely one team could take genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men carried out a textbook strategy of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues within the current title holders' latest recovery. Resolute Masterclass Secures Vital Point A drab goalless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's inability to break down a well-drilled Leeds defence. The Merseysiders were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the stadium at the final whistle on a laboured performance. "If I don't use the whole squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent history was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion." The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal Liverpool initially displayed more energy and sharpness than in recent outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. However, golden opportunities were scarce. Their best moments in the opening half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké. Following a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound. Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed. Missed Chances Prove Pivotal Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to find the target with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker misdirected a header that hit the Perri while with an open goal. For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper played a careless pass directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort returned down the centre was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper. Scrappy Final Stages The match descended into a bitty encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, back from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. Slot made a three substitution to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post. Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring streak for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a single of the points.