Liverpool failed to register a goal for just the third time this season as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton at St Mary's Stadium this afternoon.
The Reds had scored more goals than any other side in the division heading into this clash, but it proved to be a frustrating affair as they created few clear-cut chances across the 90 minutes.
Despite dominating possession it just was not to be for Liverpool, whose lead at the top of the table has now been slashed by Manchester City on a rare disappointing afternoon for Jurgen Klopp and his men.
The Saints did well to restrict their opponents' fluid forward players in a quiet first half, but they barely mustered an opening of their own with their only two attempts of the half failing to trouble Loris Karius.
It took until a third of the way through the match before the division's top-scoring side created their first chance, which Sadio Mane curled towards the top corner for Fraser Forster to help over the bar.
Mane was proving to be the Reds' most lively player in the opening 45 minutes on his return to the South Coast, doing well to get in behind only for his shot to be blocked aside by Virgil van Dijk from a few yards out.
Liverpool, who started the weekend top of the table for the first time since April 2014, patiently probed away but it proved to be a frustrating first half of limited openings at either end.
It appeared as though things could only get better in the second half, and that looked to be the case from the off as the visitors quickly found their rhythm.
Roberto Firmino was tugged back by Van Dijk in the box but did not get the penalty he felt he deserved, before Philippe Coutinho was played through only to slash his shot horribly wide of goal from close range.
Liverpool were relying on Southampton errors in midfield more so than their own creative players creating opportunities, but it was still the Reds who looked more likely to make a breakthrough as the hour mark approached.
Saints striker Charlie Austin, with eight goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions, was being given little to feed off up top but did have a decent chance to make a difference 63 minutes in.
A Cedric Soares cross from the right was glanced narrowly wide by the Englishman, who should have been testing Karius from eight yards out at the very least in a game of tight margins.
Emre Can dragged a shot wide of goal as the half transpired and Firmino prodded an even better chance inches wide, leading to Klopp turning to Daniel Sturridge for the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Sturridge almost made an instant impact, turning one way and the other before sending in a cross which Nathaniel Clyne did well to meet, only to nod wide of the target after doing the hard work.
Forster again denied Firmino in the closing stages, meaning that Liverpool become the latest team to leave the south coast without all three points - Chelsea the only side to do so in the last 11 matches here.
Daniel Lewis
