🔗 Share this article Leeds Hold Liverpool at Bay to Earn Hard-Fought Draw at Anfield Two undefeated records continued intact at Anfield, however solely one side could take real satisfaction from the result. Leeds United executed a textbook strategy of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the persistent issues within the reigning champions' recent upturn. Resolute Display Earns Crucial Result A drab scoreless draw, the initial in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was primarily due to the defensive solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's inability to break down a well-drilled Leeds unit. Liverpool were limited to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a laboured performance. "Should I do not use 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 look after him. We all know his recent history was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the emotion." Liverpool's Frustration in the Final Third Arne Slot's team initially showed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the right side. However, clear-cut chances were scarce. Their primary moments in the opening half fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and drew a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post. The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the shot, requiring a timely block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball. Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed. Spurned Opportunities Prove Pivotal Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker miscued a glance that struck the goalkeeper while facing an open goal. For Leeds, their clearest sight of goal came from an Alisson mistake. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward clearance directly to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot back towards goal was saved by the alert Alisson. Turgid Conclusion The contest descended into a bitty affair, low on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu controlling the ball, giving the hosts a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall. The Liverpool manager introduced a triple change to inject impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in front from a corner, his header flying just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had continued his scoring streak for Leeds in the final stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a tight offside call. In the end, the two teams had to settle for a single of the spoils.