An afternoon of frustration for dominant Reds
Liverpool remained top of the Premier League after a tense goalless draw with Southampton.
Philippe Coutinho was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up after undergoing a scan on Thursday for a tight hamstring, while Roberto Firmino also started.
Jurgen Klopp made two changes from the win against Watford before the international break, Dejan Lovren replacing Lucas Leiva and Gini Wijnaldum coming in for Adam Lallana, injured on international duty.
Those changes, combined with the prolonged break, saw a quiet start saw little goalmouth action, with Cedric Soares' tame effort wide the only real effort of note.
Liverpool would soon start to threaten, however, and forced the first real save of the game; Sadio Mane, teed up by Wijnaldum's intelligent pass, curled one towards Fraser Forster's left-hand side. The England goalkeeper was equal to it and tipped it around the post.
That proved to be the best opportunity of a quiet first half, though Mane, on his return to St Mary's, threatened to penetrate the solid Saints back-line, only to find Virgil van Dijk in top form.
The Reds came out with intent after the break, and came close within three minutes of the restart, but Coutinho could not convert Firmino's fine throughball, swiping wide under pressure from Jose Fonte.
Joel Matip would then threaten from a corner before Charlie Austin went close at the other end, climbing above Nathaniel Clyne but nodding wide Soares' cross.
Liverpool's attacking play started to flourish in the final half hour, creating a number of chances, with Emre Can and Firmino both culpable for failing to hit the target from glorious positions.
Firmino, in particular, should have scored when put through by Coutinho, but prodded his effort wide of the post.
Clyne would then have a big chance late on to take the three points back to Merseyside, but his header was inches wide after meeting Daniel Sturridge's fine cross to the back post.
Liverpool would draw only their second blank of the season, however – and keep their second clean sheet of the season – for a share of the spoils to maintain their position upon the Premier League summit.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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