It was a frustrating night for Liverpool, as for once Leeds produced a defensive masterclass, to stretch our unbeaten run to seven games, in a period of the season when we are playing some of the biggest names in the Premier League.

There was a lot of chatter before the game on social media about the four changes Daniel Farke had made to his starting line-up. Was he throwing this game as he thought we would lose it anyway, to concentrate on the match that really matters on Sunday lunchtime? Of course one of the changes was enforced anyway, as Bornauw replaced the injured Rodon, even though he hadn’t been entrusted to do so when Rodon came off at Sunderland.

Farke explained that Calvert-Lewin was given a rest because of his previous history with injuries, and a similar line of thought might have been behind Okafor’s omission. Bogle was the other non-starter so James Justin could have a go, while Gruev and Nmecha were the other players to come in.

All of which meant that we began with yet another different formation, as 4-5-1, assuming that Aaronson wasn’t meant to be playing as a striker, as he buzzed around behind Nmecha in an advanced midfield role, covering a lot of ground as he always does. And he wasn’t the only one to put in a determined performance, to scotch any suggestion that we had given up on this game before kick-off.

In the first few minutes we even managed to put Liverpool under pressure with a series of set pieces, but it wasn’t long before the home side began to assert their authority in terms of possession at least. But they didn’t cause us too many anxious moments, apart from when Perri spilled a shot while Ekitike was lurking dangerously.

In a game of few chances both sides had their best opportunities of the first half in quick succession just after the half hour mark. Allison tried a clever kick out, but only sent the ball straight to Ampadu about 30 yards from goal. Our captain struck the ball well enough, but need to send the ball towards the opposite corner of the net rather than the centre, so the keeper was able to scramble back and save.

Then Bornauw lost track of Ekitike, but the striker bizarrely headed the ball across the face of goal rather than towards it, and we were let off the hook. As the second half began Liverpool stepped up a gear and Ampadu did well to block a shot from Bradley, as did Perri when he got down to make a fine save from Szoboszlai.

And there was another anxious moment when Van Dijk rose to meet a corner, but his downward header bounced just wide of the post. All the same, the frustration was starting to rise around Anfield, and at times Anie Slot acted as the worlds most expensive ballboy as he rushed to speed up our throw ins down his side of the field.

While his opposite number began to have thoughts about possibly snatching the win, as he sent Okafor and Calvert-Lewin on for the final 20 minutes, the latter getting a predictable welcome in his capacity as a former Everton player. It would have been really funny if he’d been able to shut them up by getting his first goal at Anfield, and keeping his scoring run going in the process.

This so nearly came to pass, as DCL turned and fired past Allison from close range, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. VAR confirmed that he’d begun to move a fraction too soon, so he’ll have to learn to keep his legs together at the right time.

At the other end Ampadu was unjustly booked after the ball had hit the part of his upper arm that’s supposed to be legal these days, which now means he misses the game on Sunday. Bijol was also booked for delaying the restart, but thankfully the free kick came to nothing.

Liverpool made a couple of changes of their own to try to force the win, and Ngumoha looked tricky on their left, though Justin was able to close him down before there was any sign of an end product. And we were still getting chances of our own, and Stach went close from the edge of the area after a clearance came to him.

Bornauw was unlucky to pick up an injury on his first start, and Bogle had to come on, with Justin moving into central defence. Tanaka was the final change, a late sub which meant that the five minutes injury time initially announced would have to be extended. Struijk had to make a couple of last ditch hacks downfield, but we held on for the draw, and restored that all-important gap over the bottom three to seven points.

Roll on Sunday lunchtime!

Reuters