The result brought their four-match winning run to an end and snapping a 20-game head-to-head scoring streak against the Yorkshire side.

Arne Slot's team dominated possession for long spells, but Leeds arrived with a clear plan and executed it with discipline. The visitors were comfortable playing out from the back and were not intimidated by the Anfield atmosphere, even if they offered little direct threat to Alisson Becker's goal.

Their leading scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin started on the bench, which limited their attacking edge.

Liverpool almost struck against the run of play when Florian Wirtz reacted sharply after Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri spilled a shot from Hugo Ekitike, but the chance went begging.

That moment sparked a spell of sustained pressure from the hosts, yet Leeds' back five stood firm, forcing Liverpool into wide areas and hopeful deliveries.

Both sides had unexpected openings before the break. Alisson's loose kick-out gifted Ethan Ampadu a sight of an open goal, but his effort lacked conviction and was comfortably recovered. At the other end, Ekitike missed a glaring opportunity, heading wide from close range when it seemed easier to score.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with intensity but little rhythm. Jeremie Frimpong and Ilia Gruev were locked in a tireless battle, while Andrew Robertson and James Justin cancelled each other out down the flank.

Virgil van Dijk came closest, his powerful header drifting narrowly wide, before late efforts from Ekitike and Cody Gakpo failed to seriously test Perri.

Leeds thought they had stolen it when Calvert-Lewin found the net, only for the flag to quickly rule it out for offside. Liverpool could not capitalise on that escape and had to settle for a point.

The result left Liverpool fourth in the table, having lost just one of their last 16 meetings with Leeds, while Leeds stayed 16th but extended their unbeaten run to six matches overall.

Stellenbosch can't afford to drop points, says coach Steve Barker