After a game filled with excitement, the rematch between Liverpool and Leeds fell flat. Both teams came into the meeting 26 days after an electrifying 3-3 draw, yet this time the scoreboard remained locked at 0-0. With Mohamed Salah absent, there were no accusations flying like in previous encounters.
This match might have historical relevance strictly from a numerical perspective. With this match, Liverpool achieved their first scoreless draw under Arne Slot, marking the end of an officially lengthy period since their last. But for many Liverpool fans, this was not a day for celebration.
Leeds had reason to smile. After the final whistle, their defense embraced as the memories of a largely dull match started to crystallize. Daniel Farke’s team now boasts an impressive six-game unbeaten streak, including two matches against Liverpool. With a seven-point advantage over West Ham, Farke described the performance as “a really good day.” Achieving a point away required a special kind of effort, and his players delivered just that.
While managers from both sides celebrate their survival amid pressure, Liverpool experienced frustration. Slot expressed disappointment that both encounters against Leeds produced the same result. “The end result of both games is a draw, and that’s disappointing,” he remarked.
Liverpool struggled to create chances, falling short of the urgency and quality necessary to break down Leeds’ sturdy defense. When asked what was missing, Slot’s reply was straightforward: “A goal.” His side could have converted chances, yet they lacked the creativity essential for such moments. “We had a lot of possession, but ball possession means not a lot if you cannot create enough chances,” he added.
Liverpool’s best opportunity fell to Hugo Ekitike, a previously successful scorer in the last match, but he failed to connect with a header from Jeremie Frimpong’s wild shot that resembled a cross.
Ekitike became the focal point once again when he was tugged by Jaka Bijol as he advanced toward goal, leading to pleas for a penalty. “He stayed on his feet,” Slot lamented. “If he would have fallen down, it would probably have been a penalty.” He maintained his stance on encouraging honesty from his players, choosing not to instruct them to dive for a call.
Liverpool appeared flat overall. Slot opted for a valuable tactic by fielding two right-backs, with Frimpong positioned ahead of Conor Bradley. The right-wing strategy included a rotation with Dominik Szoboszlai, who finished there. Despite some brilliance, Frimpong’s mixed crossing remained a point of contention; he himself recognized the need for improvement.
While Leeds’ goalkeeper Lucas Perri successfully deflected a long-range shot from Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk nearly scored with a header that narrowly missed the target. In a last-ditch effort for a breakthrough, Slot made a triple substitution, bringing in Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Milos Kerkez. This move highlighted Wirtz’s ineffective performance, which followed his previous scoring success for Liverpool.
Farke praised his side for their defensive efforts, acknowledging that they had limited clear-cut chances for Liverpool. The revamped Leeds squad, featuring Sebastiaan Bornauw in his first Premier League start, displayed a level of cohesion and solidity. “A pat on the back for us,” acknowledged right wing-back James Justin. “A pat on the back for the management staff.”
“A hard-fought but deserved clean sheet is crucial for our confidence,” Farke noted. He had opted to bench the league’s leading striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, managing his workload with an eye on the upcoming match against Manchester United. “I have to look after him,” Farke reasoned. Despite losing some offensive threat, Leeds’ grit remained intact.
Though Leeds earned a couple of early corners, the opportunities dwindled as the match progressed. After the departure of their set-piece coach, Liverpool managed to sidestep the set-piece pressure they once faced.
“Season after season, we’ve conceded goals in matches like this, and keeping a clean sheet today feels good,” Slot reflected. Despite this, his goalkeeper was almost the reason Liverpool faced a deficit; Alisson’s poor pass to Ethan Ampadu led to a close call, but he redeemed himself with a critical save. Alisson reached a milestone with his 100th clean sheet in the league, yet it was overshadowed by the team’s inability to capitalize on their clean slate.
