Liverpool suffer frustrating draw
James put on another excellent display against his former side
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Wednesday, 29, Nov 2006 10:55
Liverpool failed to take the chance to move into the Champions League places after a frustrating 0-0 draw with high-flying Portsmouth at Anfield.
Both sides had injury problems and that meant Jamie Carragher played in central midfield for the Reds while Pompey were left without many options in defence other than the four players who started.
The home side dominated proceedings but could not break down a stubborn defensive effort from the south coast team who have performed above expectations this season.
Luis Garcia had the best opportunities of the game in the first-half. The first came after Jermaine Pennant had worked his way free on the right hand side, his cross found the Spaniard in the area but he could only head wide.
The second chance came in the 36th minute again from the right as Steve Finnan's cross was once more wasted by Garcia from 12 yards out as David James produced a great save from point blank.
Later on Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch both had efforts blocked in the area as Liverpool struggled to get the ball past the massed ranks of blue shirts.
Other than these scrambles the Reds were restricted to long range efforts, though they nearly stole it at the end but Gerrard's diving header could only find the side netting.
Portsmouth got more confident as the match wore on however they also failed to get a significant sight at goal as David Thompson and Matthew Taylor failed to find the target from distance.