Liverpool failed to make it three consecutive victories after a dire 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland.
In a game of few clear cut chances, the Reds managed only a fourth clean sheet of the season but failed to add to their poor tally of seven home goals in the Premier League this season.
Steven Gerrard was rested once again, but even his late introduction could not inspire the Reds to three points on a freezing cold day at Anfield.
The Reds did little to warm up their supporters from the first minute to the last, with Philippe Coutinho managing the only shot on target in the first 45 minutes, which was comfortably saved, whilst Rickie Lambert headed wide from an Adam Lallana cross.
It could have been worse for the Reds as early as the second minute, when Connor Wickham took a tumble in the box under a challenge from Martin Skrtel, however the referee was unmoved.
The second half continued in much the same vain, with Jordan Henderson firing wildy over from the edge of the box after a good knock down by Rickie Lambert.
The best moment of the match by far was provided by Raheem Sterling, who dribbled past four Sunderland players superbly to tee up Philippe Coutinho, but the Brazilian’s shot from just inside the box was well saved.
Steven Gerrard and Lazar Markovic were thrown on to try and inspire a winning goal, but it was Sunderland who came closest to scoring when Jordi Gomez tested Simon Mignolet with a long range strike 15 minutes from time.
However, despite a dour afternoon manager Brendan Rodgers had few gripes with the performance.
Rodgers said: “It was important to keep a clean sheet and it was a big effort from the players. We’ve got seven points from nine this week.”
“I can’t have any complaints from the players,” he added. “They’re giving me everything and we can’t solely rely on Steven. It can’t [always] be up to him.”
