Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United: Ekitike nightmare costly as Whites stall Champions’ top four surge | OneFootball

Leeds United frustrated Liverpool as the Premier League champions were held to a goalless draw at Anfield in a result that reflected the hosts’ recent stumble.

The stalemate was the first 0-0 draw of Arne Slot’s tenure and brought an end to a run of games that had at least produced a goal under the Dutchman.

Liverpool dominated possession but struggled to translate control into clear chances against a disciplined Leeds defensive display.

The best opening of the match fell to Hugo Ekitike, who somehow headed away from an open goal from a yard out after Jeremie Frimpong’s powerful delivery flashed across the six-yard box.

It was a moment that summed up Liverpool’s afternoon and underlined a lack of sharpness in decisive areas.

Leeds arrived with a clear plan to frustrate and executed it with composure and organisation.

Daniel Farke’s side opted to rest Dominic Calvert-Lewin, despite the striker’s strong recent form, with one eye on the upcoming fixture against Manchester United.

The visitors set up compactly and denied Liverpool space between the lines, forcing the champions into hopeful crosses and low-percentage shots.

Liverpool’s pressure was steady rather than relentless, and Lucas Perri was rarely worked despite long spells spent defending.

Virgil van Dijk went closest in the second half when he headed narrowly wide from a corner as frustration began to grow inside Anfield.

Ekitike also had appeals for a penalty waved away in the first half after appearing to be held by Jaka Bijol, with the referee unmoved.

Leeds threatened sporadically on the break and almost stole the points late on.

Calvert-Lewin thought he had won it after coming off the bench and finishing calmly past Alisson, only for the offside flag to deny him.

Liverpool pushed again in the closing stages but lacked urgency and incision as Leeds held firm.

Boos at full-time reflected a subdued atmosphere and a performance that never fully caught fire.

The draw extended Liverpool’s unbeaten league run to eight matches but did little to accelerate their climb up the table.

Slot’s side remain in contention but this was another evening where momentum stalled rather than built.

Leeds, by contrast, will take considerable encouragement from a result that extended their own unbeaten run to six games.

Farke’s side have now denied Liverpool four points this season after also drawing the reverse fixture at Elland Road.

They remain seven points clear of the relegation zone and continue to show resilience against elite opposition.