Chelsea failed to capitalize on Manchester United's slip up as they were held to a drab 0-0 draw by Liverpool in their Premiership clash on Sunday.

Both the teams desperately needed a win for separate reasons, Liverpool to reaming in touch with Everton in the fourth place and Chelsea to remain in the hunt for a third title in four years. Though Chelsea started the match on the attack, they were unable to break down a stubborn Liverpool defense thanks to a combination of good defending and sloppy passing.

With Fernando Torres out with injury, Peter Crouch was handed a start and the first chance of the match fell to the England striker when he was played in by Ryan Babel but Crouch was unable to hit the target.

Chelsea were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when Joe Cole was fouled in the area by Javier Mascherano but referee Mike Riley adjudged the challenge to be fair. Liverpool were looking better of the two teams in the attack but were unable to convert the half chances into goals.

Both the sides upped the tempo in the second half but once again were unable to create any real chances. The best chance of the half fell to Michael Ballack as he was played in by Ashley Cole but his volleyed shot flew wide of the target, leaving both the teams with one point a piece.