Two unbeaten records were maintained at Anfield but only one team took satisfaction along with their point. Leeds succeeded in stifling and frustrating Liverpool as the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s reign underlined the limitations that linger behind the Premier League champions’ recent recovery.
A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 Liverpool games under Slot, owed much to the defensive excellence of Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk as Daniel Farke’s depleted visitors extended their unbeaten run to six matches and moved seven points clear of the relegation zone. But Liverpool’s contribution to a meagre spectacle was significant too.
Short on ideas against Leeds’s low block, lacking urgency plus a clear attacking structure in the closing stages, Slot’s side toiled for much of the contest. There was a smattering of boos as the final whistle sounded on a ponderous performance and Slot’s post-match demeanour was not in keeping with an eighth match without defeat. “We had a lot of ball possession but that doesn’t mean a lot if you can’t create a lot of chances,” admitted the Liverpool head coach.
Farke sprang a surprise by leaving Dominic Calvert-Lewin out of his starting lineup. The in-form forward had scored seven goals in six games but, given his injury record, the Leeds manager took no chances with a player who has become integral to this season’s ambitions. That sensible approach was undermined by the limited contribution of Calvert-Lewin’s replacement, Lukas Nmecha, for the 70 minutes he was on the pitch before the pair swapped places again. Calvert-Lewin scored shortly after his late introduction but, having beaten Alisson from close range, the striker’s celebrations were derailed by a correct offside call.
