🔗 Share this article Leeds Keep The Reds at Bay to Secure Valuable Point at Anfield A pair of undefeated records continued intact at Anfield, but solely one side could derive genuine contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the persistent issues behind the reigning title holders' latest upturn. Defensive Masterclass Earns Crucial Point A lacklustre goalless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the immense solidity of the excellent defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's inability to unlock a compact Leeds unit. Liverpool were limited to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a sluggish performance. "If I do not utilise the whole squad 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 red-hot form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion." The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third Arne Slot's team initially displayed more energy and precision than in recent outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. The home side's best moments in the opening half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké. Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The Leeds' shot-stopper spilled the shot, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the rebound. Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his appeals for a spot-kick were dismissed. Missed Opportunities Are Costly Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker misdirected a header that struck the goalkeeper while with an unguarded net. For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a wayward clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot back towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper. Turgid Final Stages The contest deteriorated into a bitty encounter, low on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from suspension, tested Perri from range. The resulting scramble led to Ampadu handling the ball, giving the hosts a set-piece in a dangerous area, which Wirtz sent into the defence. Slot introduced a three change to bring urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to nodding his team in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his goal run for the visitors in the final stages, but his finish was flagged out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two teams had to accept a share of the spoils.