🔗 Share this article The Whites Hold The Reds at Arm's Length to Secure Valuable Draw at Anfield A pair of unbeaten runs continued in place at Anfield, however only one team could derive genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning champions' recent upturn. Defensive Display Earns Vital Point A lacklustre scoreless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely due to the immense dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the home side's inability to unlock a compact Leeds unit. Liverpool were reduced to speculative opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the full-time signal on a sluggish display. "Should I don't utilise the entire group and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent history was challenging. He is in red-hot form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart." The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third Arne Slot's team at first showed more energy and sharpness than in recent outings, with the right wing-back influential on the right side. However, golden chances were few and far between. Their primary moments in the opening half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France international cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post. The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a timely intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball. Ekitiké later raced clear onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were waved away. Missed Chances Are Pivotal Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest chance. Connecting with a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while facing an unguarded net. At the other end, their most notable opportunity came from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was saved by the recovering Alisson. Scrappy Final Stages The contest descended into a scrappy affair, low on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence. The Liverpool manager introduced a three substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring streak for the visitors in the final minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. Ultimately, both teams had to accept a single of the spoils.