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A pair of undefeated runs remained intact at Anfield, but solely one side could take real contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men carried out a perfect game plan of stifling and containing the hosts, with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot's tenure highlighting the persistent limitations within the current champions' latest recovery.

Resolute Masterclass Earns Crucial Result

A lacklustre scoreless draw, the first in 84 fixtures for Liverpool, was primarily due to the immense solidity of the outstanding centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half-chances, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the famous ground at the final whistle on a laboured performance.

"Should I do not utilise the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would not make changes," the manager explained. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in incredible shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

The Hosts' Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially showed more energy and precision than in recent outings, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, golden opportunities were scarce. The home side's primary moments in the opening period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and drew a save from keeper Lucas Perri at his front post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the effort, needing a crucial intervention from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was held by Jaka Bijol; although staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Costly

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong delivery in the goal area, the striker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while with an unguarded net.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal came from an Alisson error. The experienced shot-stopper sent a careless pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose instant shot back towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Scrappy Conclusion

The match descended into a scrappy affair, devoid on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from range. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu controlling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot made a triple change to inject urgency, and soon after Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in ahead from a set-piece, his header flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his finish was flagged out for a tight offside. In the end, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.