Andy Hunter’s match report from Anfield
Two unbeaten records continued at Anfield but only one team could take satisfaction from that. Leeds succeeded in stifling and frustrating Liverpool as the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s reign underlined the limitations that linger behind the Premier League champions’ recent recovery.
A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 Liverpool games under Slot, owed much to the defensive dominance of the excellent Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk but also the home side’s inability to break down a compact Leeds unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half chances and there was a smattering of boos around Anfield as the final whistle sounded on a laboured performance.
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That’s all from me. Thanks for reading, and for your emails. Congratulations to Leeds for a fine point at Anfield. Had Dominic Calvert-Lewin timed his run a little better, the Yorkshire side may have taken all three.
Until next time! Cheers!
There are two Premier League games due to kick off in just over five minutes, one of which we are liveblogging. Join John Brewin for the latest on Sunderland v Manchester City.
ShareAndy Hunter’s match report from Anfield
Two unbeaten records continued at Anfield but only one team could take satisfaction from that. Leeds succeeded in stifling and frustrating Liverpool as the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s reign underlined the limitations that linger behind the Premier League champions’ recent recovery.
A drab scoreless draw, the first in 84 Liverpool games under Slot, owed much to the defensive dominance of the excellent Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk but also the home side’s inability to break down a compact Leeds unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful half chances and there was a smattering of boos around Anfield as the final whistle sounded on a laboured performance.
Slot was seen remonstrating with the officials after the full-time whistle. I have no idea what about. Liverpool were not ill-treated by any of the refereeing decisions.
“Is the Guardian going to put the boot into Slot now?” asks Stephen Winstanley. “Slot spends £500m and can’t beat or score against fourth-from-bottom Leeds.”
I’ll talk with my editors, Stephen. One of which supports Liverpool.
Interesting that James Justin has been given the player of the match award. It could have gone to any of the Leeds back line. I thought Struijk was particularly dominant.
Ilia Gruev speaks to the Sky Sports cameras:
Today we were really aggressive and compact. We didn’t allow many chances, it was a really good away game.
Here’s what that result does to the Premier League table. Liverpool stay fourth but are now are three points clear of Chelsea and Manchester United. Leeds are now seven points clear of the relegation zone. Who knows how valuable that draw will be come the end of the season?
“When will Slot put aside his animus against Chiesa and give him either a start or proper playing time?” emails Darryl Accone. “Perhaps Slot has been embarrassed by Chiesa’s superb cameos that have made a mockery of the Liverpool buying policy and the “judgement” of ‘[Liverpool CEO Michael] Edwards and co.”
ShareFull-time: Liverpool 0-0 Leeds
A brilliant away point for Leeds. Chapeau.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha of Leeds United salute the travelling the fans alongside team mate Lucas Perri. Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.37 EST
90+6 min: Wave after wave of Liverpool attack, but there is no real incision. You have to say Leeds have defended magnificently.
90+5 min: Ngumoha turns Bogle inside out and stands a fine cross up to the back post. But Leeds’ army of giants stand tall and KICK THE FOOTBALL AWAY FROM THEIR GOAL.
90+3 min: Liverpool finally click into gear with Ekitike snaking past a couple of Leeds defenders to the byline. But Leeds to well to crowd the cross and clear the ball behind. Gakpo then sends in a contender for the worst corner of the year, even if it is only a few hours old.
90+1 min: Okafor keeps a loose ball in play and sets off toward the Liverpool byline, cutting the ball back to Stach, who has quietly been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season. Stach’s initial shot is well blocked by Konaté and the ball falls back to the German, but he skews it high and wide.
90 min: Six minutes added on!
88 min: Liverpool have at least wrestled possession away from Leeds, but look no closer to breaking the deadlock. The Premier League champions have had a turgid night with the ball at their feet. Still, it only takes a moment of magic/Leeds stupidity (or a set piece).
86 min: Two more substitutions to update you on. Liverpool have brought on young Ngumoha for Frimpong, which means a third right back of the game for the Reds, as Szoboszlai drops in.
For Leeds, Bornauw is off, which means Justin drops into right centre back and Bogle comes on as right wing-back.
Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, right, and Leeds’ Jayden Bogle challenge for the ball. Photograph: Jon Super/APShare
Updated at 14.24 EST
85 min: A hopeful Liverpool cross is wafted in the direction of Szoboszlai. There are appeals for a penalty as Gudmundsson looks to have got a touch – possibly with his arm – but replays show he nodded it clear. It should have been a Liverpool corner, but the referee awards a Leeds goal kick.
83 min: At this point in the match, you might expect the Leeds goal to be under siege. But that is really not the case, as Leeds mount yet another attack.
ShareGOAL DISALLOWED! Leeds’ Calvert-Lewin denied by offside!
81 min: Calvert-Lewin reacts fastest to a nice touch from Okafor and the English striker lifts the ball over the onrushing Alisson! Is this the seventh consecutive match that Calvert-Lewin has scored?! No! Replays show that the Leeds striker was just offside. Nervy times for Liverpool!
Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United scores a goal which is later ruled out due to offside. Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.15 EST
79 min: Liverpool change: Chiesa on for Bradley, which means Frimpong will slot in at right back to allow Chiesa to go in at right wing.
77 min: Liverpool clear but back come Leeds, crossing thrice into the area. It’s briefly panic stations in Liverpool defence as they try to hack it away until Gravenberch finally takes hold of proceedings with first touch from the gods. Settle down.
Ryan Gravenberch under pressure from Noah Okafor. Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.10 EST
75 min: A poor clearance from Bradley will allow Ampadu to fling another long throw into the area. Nearby Leeds fans twitch excitedly in the away end. Here come the cavalry. Konaté wins the initial header but he can only nod behind. Leeds corner.
73 min: Ekitike shoots! That’s exciting. It’s wide.
71 min: Leeds respond with a double change: Calvert-Lewin and Okafor on, Aaronson and Nmecha off. Based upon their defensive tactics today, Leeds seem content with a point but they certainly have the firepower to take all three.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United replaces team mate Lukas Nmecha. Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 14.05 EST
Huge chance for Van Dijk!
69 min: From a corner, Van Dijk is completely unmarked on the penalty spot, but the Liverpool captain plants his header wide! A yard wide of Lucas Perri’s post. The Leeds keeper wasn’t getting there.
67 min: A new left flank for Liverpool, in Kerkez and Gakpo, and the pair instantly combine with Kerkez sending in a decent cross to the near post. Ekitike looked bright in the first half but he has been completely anonymous in the second. Liverpool don’t have a striker on the bench, just wide forwards in Chiesa and Ngumoha.
65 min: Some much-needed changes for Liverpool: three of them and all of them straight swaps. Robertson for Kerkez, Wirtz for Gakpo and Mac Allister for Jones.
63 min: The free-kick is delayed as the referee dishes out yellow cards to Ampadu (for the handball) and Bijol (for trying to disrupt the taker of the Liverpool free-kick). Eventually Wirtz does address the ball, but curls it straight into the wall. In fairness, it was almost too close and the German had a tough task to get it up and down over the wall.
61 min: In an attempt to puncture that atmosphere, Szoboszlai unleashes one of this long rangers, with a slight deflection on the shot making it a very good Lucas Perri save. From the rebound, the ball bounces out to Ampadu, who clumsily handballs, right on the edge of Leeds’ penalty area. Liverpool now have a great chance from a set piece!
59 min: We won’t call it discontent, but certainly the Anfield crowd are tetchy. Liverpool haven’t got close to the Leeds goal in this second half.
57 min: Leeds beat the Liverpool press and Nmecha has acres of space to break into … but inexplicably turns back to pass the ball back to his centre backs. The joys of ‘recycling’! Dribble it forward, man!
55 min: Two Liverpool corners in quick succession but easily dealt with by the towering Leeds backline of Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk, all three of whom are 6ft3in. There is only so much Van Dijk can do against that lot.
Updated at 13.45 EST
52 min: Further to Jeremy Boyce’s email, it’s not just Calvert-Lewin and Piroe that Leeds can bring on. Okafor and Harrison are handy, Tanaka gave a crucial contribution in the reverse fixture of this game at Elland Road last month, and Gnonto is a fine player on his day.
50 min: If both sides were as committed to free-flowing football as they are to the 50/50s, we’d have a fine game. Bradley is floored by Struijk, while Gravenberch is caught late by a trip.
46 min: No changes from either side at the break.
“As you say Michael, scrappy game that will suit Leeds, especially getting to half time on equal terms,” emails Jeremy Boyce. “I’m wondering if Farcke isn’t doing a Borthwick, playing the bench. England rugby are becoming notorious for their second half power off the bench, Leeds have good attacking options and have worked their hosts hard in the first half. If only Henry Pollard played footie! All the same, fresh legs Calvert-Lewin and Piroe, for example, could be useful. Scrum down!”
SharePeeeeeeeeeeep!
We’re off again.
Half-time reading: