🔗 Share this article Leeds Keep The Reds at Bay to Earn Hard-Fought Point at Anfield Two undefeated runs continued intact at Anfield, but solely one team could take real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the lingering issues behind the current champions' recent upturn. Resolute Display Secures Crucial Point A drab goalless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was largely due to the defensive dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's inability to break down a well-drilled Leeds unit. The Merseysiders were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish display. "Should I do not use the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent history was challenging. He is in incredible shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart." The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal Arne Slot's team initially showed more energy and precision than in recent matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the right side. However, golden opportunities were scarce. The home side's primary openings in the first period fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball. Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away. Missed Chances Are Costly Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he failed to find the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the striker miscued a header that struck the Perri while facing an open goal. For Leeds, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a careless clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was saved by the alert goalkeeper. Scrappy Final Stages The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting scramble resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. The Liverpool manager made a three substitution to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his header flying just past the post. Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a tight offside. Ultimately, the two teams had to accept a share of the spoils.