Liverpool and Southampton cancelled each other out in a first half dominated by some stubborn defensive performances.

Both sides looked composed on the ball in the early stages of the contest, with the Saints sticking to their policy of beginning attacking moves from defence.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half when he targeted the bottom corner with a powerful effort, but Artur Boruc reacted well to push the ball away.

Rickie Lambert had a great opportunity to give the visitors the lead just moments later, but the forward struck his shot straight at Simon Mignolet following a defensive mix-up.

Neither team could find a breakthrough before the interval despite some fluent football being displayed on Merseyside.