Rafael Benitez's men had hoped to bolster their top four bid with a second straight victory at Molineux, but rarely looked like snatching all three points on an evening where the best chances fell to the home side.

The pre-match team news had been centred upon the return to fitness of Reds skipper Steven Gerrard, who came into the starting line-up in place of Alberto Aquilani. Maxi Rodriguez was also included for what was his first start in English football, as Benitez made two changes to the team that saw off Spurs.

It was an attack-minded team that was sent out looking to secure Liverpool's first win at Molineux since Alan Hansen scored the only goal of the game way back in 1979.

They made a fast start too and could have been ahead inside the first 60 seconds but Albert Riera flashed his near post header across the face of the six yard box.

Maxi then angled a neat pass into Dirk Kuyt who, buoyed by his brace against Spurs, took on a 20 yard shot that was well blocked by Jody Craddock.

If this was a sign of things to come, then Mick McCarthy's men were in for a torrid night. However, the Reds' supercharged opening began to fizzle out and a tight midfield battle ensued.

The half hour mark came and went, with very little in terms of goalmouth incident.

Indeed, the hosts had barely been near the Liverpool penalty area but a lightning break on 32 minutes almost saw them steal ahead when Kevin Doyle poked wide at the near post following a superb run and cross down the left by Matt Jarvis.

It would prove to be the best opportunity of a forgettable first 45 minutes and no-one could have blamed the travelling Kop for expecting a bit more in terms of chances as the second period got underway.

Once again, it was the visitors who made the better start and Marcus Hahnemann had to be at his best to deny Riera's hooked volley from just outside the box. It was an uncomfortable save for the USA stopper but, perhaps more poignantly, the first time he had been called into action.

At the other end Wanderers had looked particularly dangerous down their left flank and more good work from Jarvis saw a loose ball break to Karl Henry just inside the Reds' area, but his low drive was inadvertently blocked by Kevin Foley.

It seemed to inspire the home side and they enjoyed their best spell of the match. Doyle had looked threatening without truly stretching the Reds rearguard until he cut inside Jamie Carragher and sizzled a 25 yarder just over the top.

Back came Liverpool and Kuyt went within a whisker of making it three goals in two matches when he whipped a curling effort just past the upright after good approach play by Riera.

The match was keenly poised and while there had been more efforts on goal in the second period, there was once again a distinct lack of quality from both sides when it came to the final ball.

With time running out there was a tangible sense in the air that one goal would be enough to settle such a scrappy affair, but in-keeping with what had preceded the final 10 minutes, the latter stages were devoid of the creativity necessary to conjure up a match-winner.