🔗 Share this article

Two undefeated records continued in place at Anfield, however solely one team could take genuine contentment from the result. Daniel Farke's men executed a textbook game plan of stifling and containing Liverpool, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning title holders' recent upturn.

Defensive Masterclass Secures Crucial Result

A lacklustre scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Slot's team, was primarily attributable to the defensive solidity of the excellent centre-back pairing Struijk and Bijol, coupled with the home side's failure to unlock a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to speculative half-chances, and a sprinkling of boos could be heard around the famous ground at the full-time whistle on a laboured performance.

"Should I don't utilise the entire group and we have a fixture list 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 challenging. He is in incredible shape but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

Liverpool's Frustration in Front of Goal

Liverpool at first displayed more zip and sharpness than in recent outings, with the right wing-back influential on the right side. Nevertheless, golden opportunities were scarce. Their best moments in the opening period involved forward Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart exchange with Curtis Jones, the France international drifted infield and drew a stop from keeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper could not hold the effort, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the rebound.
• Ekitiké later raced clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Missed Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's afternoon was compounded when he did not manage to hit the net with his clearest chance. Meeting a swift Frimpong delivery in the six-yard box, the striker misdirected a header that struck the goalkeeper while facing an unguarded net.

At the other end, their most notable opportunity arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The Brazilian shot-stopper sent a wayward pass straight to disruptor Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned down the centre was gathered by the alert goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The match deteriorated into a bitty encounter, devoid on incident. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, tested Perri from distance. The subsequent scramble led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a free-kick in a promising position, which Wirtz wasted into the wall.

Slot introduced a three substitution to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to nodding his side in ahead from a set-piece, his effort bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his goal run for the visitors in the closing minutes, but his tap-in was ruled out for a tight offside call. In the end, both sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.