🔗 Share this article The Whites Keep The Reds at Arm's Length to Earn Hard-Fought Point at Anfield Two unbeaten records remained intact at Anfield, but only one side could take real contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the persistent limitations behind the reigning champions' recent upturn. Defensive Masterclass Secures Crucial Result A lacklustre goalless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to break down a compact visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final signal on a sluggish performance. "Should I do not utilise 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 look after him. We all are aware his past history was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's important I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to prevail over the heart." Liverpool's Struggle in Front of Goal Liverpool at first showed more zip and precision than in previous outings, with the right wing-back influential on the right side. Nevertheless, golden chances were scarce. Their primary moments in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and forced a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post. The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, requiring a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound. Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed. Missed Chances Are Costly Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a glance that hit the Perri while facing an unguarded net. For Leeds, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper sent a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper. Turgid Final Stages The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. Slot made 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 effort flying just wide the post. Substitute 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 call. Ultimately, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.