Liverpool lost ground on the EPL’s fourth-placed side Tottenham with an uninspiring display at a Molineux ground where they haven’t won for 31 years.

Captain Steven Gerrard returned to the starting line-up earlier than expected after the hamstring injury he picked up two weeks ago, with Italian Alberto Aquilani returning to the bench and recent signing Maxi Rodriguez handed a full debut.

However, Gerrard was unable to drive Liverpool to a much-needed win. And over the ninety minutes, strugglers Wolves looked the likelier to break the deadlock, with Irish striker Kevin Doyle the pick of Mick McCarthy’s men.

Doyle had the best chance of a desperate first-half, diverting Matt Jarvis’s low left-wing cross to the near-post goalwards, only to see Reds defender Emiliano Insua deflect the shot narrowly wide.

Liverpool dominated possession but created next-to-nothing.

Doyle again came close for the hosts with three worthy efforts, moving boss Mick McCarthy to comment: “If there has been a better performance from a centre-forward, I’d like to see it.”

Albert Riera’s over-the-shoulder shot early in the second half and a Dirk Kuyt right-foot effort wide from just outside the box were the sum total of Liverpool’s attacking contribution to the second half.