Premier League: Liverpool 0 Tottenham 0

Liverpool’s hopes of qualification for the Champions League took a further blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tottenham at Anfield.

The hosts toiled to their eight home league draw of the season against a brilliantly determined Spurs who saw their title chances grow with a hard-fought point on Monday.

Luis Suarez made his return to the Reds’ team as a second half substitute and perhaps wasted the best chance of the match, nodding at Brad Friedel from a matter of yards.

Andy Carroll had a chance to break the Tottenham backline early from an inch perfect Gerrard pass, only for Dawson to execute a superb sliding block which betrayed the subsequent claims for a penalty from the Kop.

The game settled into something of a tactical battle after early bravado as Spurs patiently tried to pick holes in an opposition which looked happy to surrender possession and hit on the break.

The hosts enjoyed one such chance as their own brilliant passing move found Jay Spearing in space, but the academy graduate could only drive inches wide from the edge of the box.

Glen Johnson then underlined the hosts’ dominance in terms of chancing by forcing Friedel into an uncomfortable save with his legs with a shot from the edge of the box.

The second period began in a similar vein to the first as Liverpool created opportunities to get at the Spurs back four, but failed to fully capitalise.

A spat between a frustrated Gareth Bale and Daniel Agger provided the highlight of the opening 10 minutes of the half and, shortly after, the Welshman scuffed wide in the box much to the delight of the fans in red.

The frustration of a stubborn defensive performance from the visitors soon told as Dalglish inevitably looked to Suarez, who received a rapturous reception replacing Dirk Kuyt.

The Uruguayan was immediately involved in a quick passing exchange with Gerrard which only came to nothing after some more staunch defensive work.

Carroll then found himself with a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock, but smashed Kelly’s cross from the right over the bar with Friedel exposed.

Bale almost caught the Liverpool defence napping when he ran on to a long ball from defence, but failed to beat Pepe Reina when one-on-one.

Suarez had a chance to make Bale pay for his miss almost immediately, but the Uruguayan could only direct his header straight at Friedel from six yards out.

Liverpool piled on the pressure in the finals minutes, but could not find a way through the Spurs defence and were forced to settle for a draw which leaves them in seventh spot on the table.