🔗 Share this article The Whites Hold Liverpool at Arm's Length to Earn Valuable Draw at Anfield Two undefeated runs continued intact at Anfield, but only one side could take genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent issues within the reigning title holders' recent recovery. Defensive Display Secures Vital Result A drab goalless draw, the first in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the defensive dominance of the excellent defensive duo Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the Anfield side's inability to unlock a compact visitors' unit. The Merseysiders were limited to hopeful half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the stadium at the final whistle on a sluggish display. "Should I don't utilise the entire group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," the manager stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past couple of years was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the heart." The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal Arne Slot's team at first displayed more zip and precision than in previous matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the flank. Nevertheless, golden opportunities were few and far between. Their best moments in the opening period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké. Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French forward drifted infield and forced a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post. The Leeds' shot-stopper spilled the effort, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz tapping in the loose ball. Ekitiké later raced through onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although not going down, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed. Spurned Opportunities Are Costly Ekitiké's evening worsened when he failed to hit the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a swift Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a glance that hit the Perri while with an open goal. For Leeds, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced shot-stopper played a careless clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort returned towards goal was gathered by the alert goalkeeper. Scrappy Conclusion The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from a ban, tested Perri from range. The subsequent rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, giving Liverpool a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the defence. The Liverpool manager introduced a triple change to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his team in ahead from a corner, his effort bouncing just past 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 ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, both sides had to accept a share of the spoils.