IT'S goalless at Anfield as Rovers look to take the points from the mighty Liverpool.

The Reds have had the Lion's share of possession but have yet to find a way past Brad Friedel.

The first chance came after nine minutes when Steven Gerrard, playing his 300th league game for his club, saw a whipped in cross flicked narrowly wide by Fernando Torres.

A fine challenge by ex-Liverpool man Stephen Warnock stopped Torres in full flow soon afterwards.

Gerrard then went down far too easily as goalkeeper Friedel came out to meet him on the left of the box. Referee Alan Wiley was rightly quick to warn the Liverpool captain.

Torres and Dirk Kuyt both headed efforts wide but Friedel was not unduly troubled.

Jose Reina, playing his 150th game for the hosts, was also only troubled by a Roque Santa Cruz angled drive.

Referee Wiley then ignored far more straightforward claims for a free-kick when Christopher Samba bundled Gerrard over on the edge of the box.

And when Torres and Dirk Kuyt combined to set-up Gerrard for a 20-yarder that looked to be deflected wide, the official gave a goal-kick much to the growing anger of the home crowd.

Jason Roberts and Roque Santa Cruz produced moments of strength and good movement to trouble Liverpool, and Santa Cruz tested Jose Reina with a fierce drive.

Kuyt then saw a 25-yard effort held by Friedel before the Dutch forward headed just wide from a Gerrard free-kick.