LEEDS United manager Daniel Farke savoured a 'really good evening' for his side at Anfield, but admitted to frustration after seeing captain Ethan Ampadu receive a soft-looking yellow card which rules him out of Sunday's Elland Road showdown with Manchester United.

Ampadu was cautioned by referee Chris Kavanagh for a handball offence in the second half of the 0-0 draw at champions Liverpool, his fifth booking of the season to incur a one-game suspension.

Farke, whose diligent and organised side extended their unbeaten Premier League sequence to six matches, professed to be having issues with the performance of Kavanagh and his fellow match officials, said: "I have to calm myself down because I'm still struggling to accept this yellow card.

"When I see in the first half the foul situations against Anton Stach are not given and then in this (Ampadu) situation, there was, first of all, a clear foul against Ethan Ampadu and we play further on.

Leeds United players huddle at the final whistle after the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Leeds United players huddle at the final whistle after the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

"We lose the ball out of this situation that exists and then there was more or less an instinctive free kick that he gave which was half doubtful for a handball, but it was also never a yellow card.

"And to give Ethan a yellow card for this situation is... I have to be a bit careful but it’s hard to accept. Jaka Bijol got also a yellow card

"There’s lots of adversity at the moment. We had to show lots of resilience.

"Also I don't know where six minutes of added time was coming from and then six minutes were over.

Liverpool's Conor Bradley (centre left) and Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson (centre right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

"I have to be careful, but it’s hard to accept. There were several situations I struggled to accept.”

On his side's ultra-committed display to chisel out their best away result of the campaign - and a first clean sheet since late August - he added: "It was the reigning champions back in their top shape.

"Also, you could feel the New Year's Day special atmosphere in the stadium.

"They were on it, and we needed to show lots of resilience, stubborn and structured.

"We had a good start to this game, but of course, there was many periods (where) we had to suffer and we had to dig in. Liverpool had lots of possession, shots as well, but not clear-cut chances.

"I am very happy with the clean sheet and the point and the mentality the lads showed today. A great point and a really good evening for us.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room at the minute is second to none. We were rock solid as a team and stuck together. A lot of praise goes to my team and the lads."

Offering his thoughts, Liverpool chief Arne Slot commented: "Not for the first time this season, from all the ball possession we have, we do generate chances, but I don't think it is enough or maybe it should be enough if you look at the xG, but we should be able to create more.

"We were very close with Virgil (van Dijk), but we didn't and this season multiple times we have conceded a goal in a game like this and that's a positive thing today.

"We kept a clean sheet and that's why we have a draw today."