🔗 Share this article The Whites Keep The Reds at Bay to Earn Hard-Fought Point at Anfield Two undefeated runs continued intact at Anfield, however solely one team could derive genuine contentment from the result. Leeds United executed a perfect game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the persistent limitations within the reigning champions' latest recovery. Defensive Masterclass Earns Vital Point A lacklustre goalless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the defensive dominance of the excellent defensive duo Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's inability to unlock a well-drilled Leeds unit. Liverpool were limited to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of discontent could be heard around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a laboured display. "Should I do not use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would not make changes," the manager explained. "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 look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the emotion." The Hosts' Struggle in Front of Goal Liverpool at first showed more energy and sharpness than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. However, golden opportunities were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the first period fell to forward Hugo Ekitiké. After a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his front post. The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the shot, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the rebound. Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away. Missed Opportunities Prove Pivotal Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he failed to find the target with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the striker misdirected a glance that hit the Perri while facing an unguarded net. At the other end, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian shot-stopper played a careless clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort returned down the centre was gathered by the recovering goalkeeper. Turgid Conclusion The match deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising area, which Wirtz sent into the defence. The Liverpool manager introduced a triple change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side in front from a set-piece, his header flying just wide the post. Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had continued his goal run for Leeds in the closing stages, but his finish was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, both sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.