Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City in their Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Reds came into the game looking to secure their top-four spot with any eye certainly on the mid-week clash against Roma in the Champions League. The Potters, on the other hand, were desperate for a result as they look to claw themselves out of the relegation zone.

Liverpool started the game brightly and came inches away from opening the scoring with just five minutes on the clock. Star man Mohamed Salah exposed a high-line from the Stoke defence as he was sent through on goal. You would have put your house on him scoring but his dinked finish sailed just wide.

Paul Lambert’s men were not just sitting deep and looking to defend as most smaller teams do at Anfield. Instead, they were working tremendously hard to not give Liverpool any space to play with, while also breaking forward at any possible moment.

Both teams traded chances but could not find the opening goal. Liverpool then thought they had the opening goal. Danny Ings was slipped through down the left-hand side and found Georginio Wijnaldum with his cross, the Dutchman’s shot was saved by Jack Butland but Ings was on the spot to rifle home the rebound. The linesman, however, lifted his flag and the goal was ruled off for offside.

It was 0-0 at the break with Liverpool clearly feeling the effects of their European exploits.

Both teams were looking for a big second half, but the game quickly fell back into the pattern of the first.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were not finding much joy going forward as their attempts at goal were either blocked or sailed wide.

Neither side could find the all-important goal, 0-0 the final score at Anfield.

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