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A pair of undefeated runs remained in place at Anfield, but solely one side could take real contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect strategy of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues within the current title holders' latest recovery.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Result

A drab goalless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of boos could be heard around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a sluggish display.

"If I do not use the entire squad and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion."

Liverpool's Frustration in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. Their best openings in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, requiring a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Missed Chances Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a glance that hit the goalkeeper while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity came from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced shot-stopper sent a wayward clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the alert goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The contest descended into a scrappy affair, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot introduced a triple substitution to bring urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his header flying just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring streak for Leeds in the closing minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.