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A pair of unbeaten runs remained intact at Anfield, however only one side could take genuine contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the persistent limitations behind the current title holders' latest upturn.

Resolute Display Earns Vital Result

A lacklustre goalless stalemate, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's inability to break down a compact Leeds defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a laboured performance.

"Should I don't use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," the manager explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team at first showed more zip and precision than in previous outings, with the right wing-back influential on the flank. However, golden opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best openings in the opening half involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper could not hold the effort, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while facing an open goal.

For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal came from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a wayward pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was saved by the recovering Alisson.

Scrappy Final Stages

The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

The Liverpool manager made a triple change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in front from a corner, his header bouncing just past the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal run for Leeds in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.