🔗 Share this article Leeds Hold The Reds at Bay to Earn Hard-Fought Draw at Anfield Two unbeaten records remained in place at Anfield, however only one side could take real satisfaction from the outcome. Leeds United executed a perfect strategy of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent limitations within the reigning title holders' latest upturn. Resolute Display Secures Crucial Point A drab goalless stalemate, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's inability to break down a compact Leeds defence. The Merseysiders were limited to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final signal on a laboured performance. "Should I don't use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his past 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." The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third Liverpool at first showed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with the right wing-back influential on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's primary moments in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké. Following a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball. Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were waved away. Spurned Opportunities Are Costly Ekitiké's evening worsened when he did not manage to find the target with his clearest opening. Connecting with a swift Frimpong cross in the goal area, the striker misdirected a glance that struck the goalkeeper while facing an open goal. For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian keeper sent a wayward clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort returned towards goal was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper. Scrappy Final Stages The match deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. The Liverpool manager made a three change to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in ahead from a corner, his header flying just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal streak for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a marginal offside. Ultimately, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.