Liverpool failed to score for the only third time this season after being held to a 0-0 by Southampton in what was a heroic and well organised defensive effort from Claude Puel's side.
The Saints had a clear game-plan right from the very beginning and it was almost as though they set up as the away team, happy to concede possession and make Liverpool do the majority of the work with the ball and ask the questions.
FULL-TIME Southampton 0-0 Liverpool. The visitors depart a rain-drenched St Mary's with a point #SOULIV pic.twitter.com/IoNmVFmaUQ
The other side of that coin meant Southampton lacked much attacking threat of their own. Charlie Austin cut an isolated figure up front during his time on the pitchwith little in the way of help from his supporting cast as attention remained focused on keeping the visitors quiet.
Liverpool were limited in what they were able to create and it wasn't until just shy of the half-hour mark that a first chance came. That resulted in a stunning flying save from Fraser Forster to deny Sadio Mane on his first return to St Mary's since leaving in the summer
Even when Liverpool did manage to put a rare slick move together and glimpse a clear sight of goal in the closing stages of the half, Virgil van Dijk was on hand to close Mane down when it looked as the winger was through on goal.
Liverpool have played just two Premier League away games at 3 o'clock this season.
They failed to score in both.
Not their favourite slot. pic.twitter.com/SYFKJaMsTI
After the break, Philippe Coutinho, perhaps fatigued from his recent international commitments, sliced badly wide under pressure from Jose Fonte. It summed up the Brazilian and his team's day - not quite at their recent best.
As Puel would have hoped, the longer his side stayed in the game, the greater the chance of snatching an opportunity. And that almost happened shortly before the hour mark when Austin sent a header narrowly wide of the post.
Other chances followed for Liverpool but the Reds came no closer to scoring.
Emre Can pulled a left-footed shot badly wide and then Roberto Firmino stabbed an opportunity past the far post that perhaps should have been the breakthrough. Nathaniel Clyne later missed a glorious headed chance after good work from substitute Daniel Sturridge.
Liverpool dominated possession in the pouring south coast rain in the closing stage as a soaked Jurgen Klopp stood gesticulating in his technical area, but the pressure ultimately fell short of 'kitchen sink' level and each side left with a point.
Southampton: Forster, Cedric, Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand, Romeu, Hojbjerg (Reed - 78'), Davis, Boufal (Long - 66'), Redmond, Austin (Rodriguez - 75')
Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can (Sturridge - 78'), Mane (Origi - 90+1'), Firmino, Coutinho