🔗 Share this article

Two unbeaten runs continued intact at Anfield, however only one team could take real contentment from the outcome. Daniel Farke's men executed a perfect strategy of stifling and restricting Liverpool, with the maiden goalless draw of Arne Slot's reign underscoring the persistent issues within the reigning title holders' recent recovery.

Defensive Masterclass Secures Vital Result

A lacklustre scoreless draw, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the defensive dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, combined with the home side's failure to break down a well-drilled visitors' defence. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a sprinkling of boos echoed around the famous ground at the final whistle on a sluggish performance.

"If I don't use the entire squad and we have a fixture list like this, I would not do this," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent history was challenging. He is in red-hot shape but it's important I manage him and sometimes the head needs to prevail over the emotion."

The Hosts' Frustration in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially showed more zip and sharpness than in previous matches, with the right wing-back prominent on the flank. However, golden opportunities were few and far between. The home side's primary openings in the opening half involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• After a neat exchange with Curtis Jones, the French international cut inside and drew a save from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' shot-stopper spilled the effort, requiring a crucial block from James Justin to prevent Florian Wirtz converting the loose ball.
• Ekitiké later raced through onto a long ball but was held by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his shouts for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Opportunities Are Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to find the target with his best opening. Connecting with a pacy Frimpong cross in the goal area, the attacker misdirected a glance that struck the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their clearest sight of goal arrived from an Alisson mistake. The Brazilian keeper played a careless clearance straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time shot returned down the centre was gathered by the alert Alisson.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest deteriorated into a scrappy encounter, devoid on quality. Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from suspension, forced a save from Perri from distance. The resulting rebound resulted in Ampadu handling the ball, awarding the hosts a set-piece in a promising position, which Wirtz sent into the wall.

Slot made a three change to inject impetus, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his side in ahead from a set-piece, his effort flying just past the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his scoring run for the visitors in the closing stages, but his tap-in was flagged out for a marginal offside call. Ultimately, the two sides had to settle for a single of the spoils.