Liverpool's miserable week continued as they were held to a frustrating draw
by relegation-threatened Leicester at the Walkers Stadium.
Gerard Houllier's side were looking for a morale-boosting win after their UEFA
Cup exit at the hands of Marseille.
But they found themselves unable to break down Micky Adams' battlers although
they did move a point clear of Newcastle in the race for fourth place after
their defeat at Bolton.
It needed two excellent reflex saves from goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to prevent
the Foxes from pulling off a shock victory as they extended their unbeaten run
to six matches.
And in injury-time Muzzy Izzet shot wide from close range after connecting
with a cross from Steffen Freund.
Liverpool dominated territorially, particularly in the opening 45 minutes,
and Steven Gerrard did his best to try and inspire his side.
But they only spasmodically threatened to breach the home side's defence and Paul
Dickov epitomised their never-say-die spirit.
Liverpool were soon into their stride and a long clearance by Dudek landed
invitingly for Milan Baros behind the Leicester defence but he failed to hit the
target with his volley.
An inswinging corner from Gerrard was flicked on by Baros but Sami Hyypia
failed to make clean contact with his shot which Ian Walker dealt with
comfortably.
Leicester threatened briefly and a long clearance from Ian Walker almost let
in Dickov and Dudek had to react quickly to thwart the Scottish international.
Igor Biscan had an opportunity to break the deadlock when he met a corner from
Baros but his header skimmed past the far post.
A superb curling pass from the impressive Gerrard picked out the run of Baros
but he only half connected with his shot and Walker again coped easily.
Liverpool were slowly turning the screw and Bruno Cheyrou just failed to make
full contact with a hard-driven cross from Baros.
But Dudek was relieved to see a close-range volley from Matt Heath fly just
over his crossbar after he had connected with a chip from Izzet.
The Liverpool fans briefly thought that Gerrard had given their side the lead
but his powerful effort hit the side-netting.
Gerard was looking the most threatening for Liverpool and a fierce drive
brought a low save from Walker at the expense of a corner.
The home keeper was then relieved to tip over a dipping Dietmar Hamann volley
which bounced awkwardly in front of him and flew up off the surface.
In a rare Leicester raid Les Ferdinand surged into the Liverpool penalty area
after collecting a pass from Marcus Bent but his low shot was saved by Dudek.
Leicester manager Adams brought on Steve Guppy for the ineffective Nalis at
half-time but the home side were relieved when a powerful drive from Cheyrou
crashed against the angle of post and crossbar with Walker well beaten.
Harry Kewell then sent a dipping, angled drive just wide of the far post but
Leicester retaliated and Dudek parried away Izzet's long-range drive.
Liverpool gave away a succession of free-kicks around their box and from one
of them Dudek beat out a piledriver from Ben Thatcher.
Kewell failed to make proper contact with a shot which trickled wide and the
game was crying out for a spark of inspiration.
But Baros should have done better when he seized onto a low ball into the area
from Kewell although Walker did well to make a low save from close range.
Leicester finished strongly and Dudek again did well to push away another
rocket-like free-kick from Thatcher.
Then came that miss by Izzet seconds before the final whistle although it
would have been rough justice on Liverpool.
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