LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Hugo Ekitiké should have been the hero. The Liverpool striker had chances, space, and the roar of Anfield behind him, yet the net remained untouched as seventh-placed Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened Leeds United.
The Kop arrived expecting goals. What they witnessed instead was a masterclass in defensive resilience from a Leeds side sitting 17th, clinging to survival with the desperation of a team that knows every point matters. The final whistle brought groans from the home faithful and relieved celebrations from the visitors.
Liverpool dominated possession with 68.3%, pinning Leeds back for long stretches, yet the breakthrough never came. Ekitiké's 64th-minute effort, racing through on the counter, sailed harmlessly wide when it seemed easier to score. Virgil van Dijk's towering header in the 70th minute flew agonizingly past the post. Dominik Szoboszlai's curling attempt in the 60th minute forced Lucas Perri into a diving save, the Leeds goalkeeper sprawling to his left to push the ball to safety.
The pattern was relentless. Liverpool launched 19 shots compared to Leeds' four, yet managed just four on target. Perri stood tall when it mattered, producing four saves that grew in importance as the clock ticked down. When Florian Wirtz's blocked effort in the 62nd minute ricocheted dangerously, Perri was there. When Szoboszlai tested him from distance, Perri answered.
Leeds defended with bodies on the line. Jaka Bijol threw himself in front of shots. Sebastiaan Bornauw, who departed injured in the 83rd minute, battled through discomfort to keep Liverpool's attackers at bay. Ethan Ampadu, booked for handball in the 61st minute, marshaled the midfield with grit and determination. The visitors absorbed wave after wave of pressure, their defensive shape never breaking despite the territorial dominance they faced.
The turning point never arrived, and perhaps that was the story. Liverpool created eight corners to Leeds' three and committed 10 fouls to Leeds' eight, yet couldn't find the cutting edge. Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch controlled midfield but lacked the final ball. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley pushed forward from the flanks, yet their crosses found no takers. Manager Jürgen Klopp threw on substitutes—Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez, Federico Chiesa, and Rio Ngumoha—but fresh legs couldn't unlock the Leeds defense.
The atmosphere grew tense in the final 10 minutes. Anfield urged their team forward, but Leeds held firm. Anton Stach's blocked effort in the 91st minute briefly threatened a smash-and-grab winner, but Alisson was equal to the danger. The two yellow cards shown to Leeds—Bijol and Ampadu—reflected the physical nature of their rearguard action.
Leeds will host Manchester United on January 4 in a crucial encounter in their battle against relegation, while Liverpool must regroup and find their scoring touch as they chase European qualification from seventh place.