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Two undefeated records remained intact at Anfield, but only one side could take real contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of frustrating and containing the hosts, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the persistent issues within the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Resolute Display Earns Vital Result

A drab scoreless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely attributable to the immense dominance of the excellent centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the Anfield side's failure to unlock a well-drilled visitors' unit. Liverpool were limited to speculative opportunities, and a smattering of boos echoed around the famous ground at the full-time signal on a sluggish display.

"If I don't utilise the whole group and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," the manager explained. "With a footballer like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot shape but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Frustration in Front of Goal

Liverpool initially displayed more zip and precision than in previous outings, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were scarce. The home side's best openings in the first half fell to striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper spilled the effort, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a spot-kick were dismissed.

Spurned Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon worsened when he did not manage to find the net with his best opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a header that hit the goalkeeper while with an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper mistake. The experienced keeper played a careless clearance straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort back down the centre was saved by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Conclusion

The match descended into a bitty affair, devoid on incident. The midfielder, back from suspension, forced a save from Perri from range. The subsequent scramble resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

The Liverpool manager made a triple change to bring urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his team in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside. In the end, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.