Liverpool stay top after drawing 0-0 at Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON: Liverpool stayed top of the English Premier League despite a frustrating 0-0 draw at Southampton, where Juergen Klopp's team couldn't get past goalkeeper Fraser Forster on Saturday.

Liverpool is tied on 27 points with Manchester City but both teams can be overtaken by Chelsea, which visits Middlesbrough on Sunday.

"I'm not happy, not over the moon, but I'm not frustrated," Klopp said after Liverpool's three-game winning streak in the league ended.

The visitors dominated large periods at St Mary's, where former Saints trio Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane all started for Liverpool.

Roberto Firmino was guilty of missing the best chance to win the game for Liverpool, while Charlie Austin headed wide for midtable Southampton, which offered very little going forward.

Former Southampton player Adam Lallana was missing after picking up an injury in England's draw with Spain on Tuesday, and it was Mane who had the best chance in the opening half-hour.

The Senegal international hit Georginio Wijnaldum's pass first time, only to see Forster leap to his left and paw his shot away.

After the interval, Emre Can — making his 100th appearance for the Reds — lofted a ball over to Firmino, who had his shirt pulled by Virgil van Dijk and went down, but referee Mark Clattenburg turned appeals away.

Saints skipper Jose Fonte did just enough to put off Philippe Coutinho moments later as the forward burst through.

Austin had arguably Southampton's best chance as he headed Cedric's cross wide under pressure from Clyne shortly after Joel Matip had been inches away from connecting with a free kick to put Liverpool ahead.

Firmino was played in by Coutinho but could only shoot wide when clean-through as he attempted to finish with the outside of his boot.

Daniel Sturridge was introduced in the 78th and almost provided an immediate impact as he dug out a cross to the back post which Clyne headed wide.

Forster then kept out Firmino's curling effort as Liverpool, unbeaten in the league since August, failed to find a winning goal.

Liverpool and Man City have the same goal difference but the Reds have scored more goals.