🔗 Share this article

Two undefeated runs continued in place at Anfield, however only one team could take real contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a perfect game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the first scoreless draw of Arne Slot's tenure underscoring the lingering issues behind the reigning champions' latest recovery.

Defensive Display Secures Vital Point

A drab scoreless stalemate, the initial in 84 fixtures for Slot's team, was largely attributable to the defensive solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, combined with the Anfield side's inability to unlock a well-drilled visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the stadium at the full-time whistle on a sluggish performance.

"If I don't use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would never do this," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his past history was difficult. He is in incredible form but it's vital I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Frustration in Front of Goal

Arne Slot's team initially displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the right side. However, clear-cut opportunities were scarce. Their primary openings in the first period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat one-two with Curtis Jones, the France forward cut inside and forced a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The Leeds' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, requiring a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite not going down, his shouts for a penalty were dismissed.

Spurned Opportunities Are Costly

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to find the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the attacker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal came from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The experienced shot-stopper played a wayward pass directly to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant effort back down the centre was gathered by the alert goalkeeper.

Scrappy Final Stages

The match 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, giving the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position, which Wirtz sent into the defence.

Slot made a triple substitution to bring impetus, and soon after Virgil van Dijk came close to heading his side in front from a corner, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside. In the end, the two sides had to accept a share of the spoils.