🔗 Share this article The Whites Hold The Reds at Arm's Length to Secure Hard-Fought Point at Anfield A pair of undefeated runs remained in place at Anfield, but only one team could take genuine contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men carried out a textbook game plan of frustrating and restricting Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent limitations within the current title holders' recent upturn. Defensive Display Secures Vital Point A lacklustre goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the defensive dominance of the outstanding defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a laboured display. "Should I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would never make changes," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his past history was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I manage him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart." The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal Liverpool at first showed more energy and precision than in recent outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. Their best openings in the first half involved forward Hugo Ekitiké. Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The Leeds' shot-stopper could not hold the shot, needing a crucial block 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; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed. Missed Opportunities Are Pivotal Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to find the net with his best chance. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a header that hit the Perri while facing an open goal. For Leeds, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Alisson error. The Brazilian keeper sent a careless pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned towards goal was gathered by the recovering Alisson. Turgid Conclusion The match deteriorated into a scrappy affair, low on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from a ban, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz sent into the defence. The Liverpool manager made a triple substitution to bring urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his team in ahead from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal run for Leeds in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was flagged out for a tight offside. In the end, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.