21.2.10  BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
Man City 0 Liverpool 0 (www.lfc.tv)


Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun made their comebacks as Liverpool played out a tense goalless draw with Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday afternoon.

With chances came at a premium for both sides, Emmanuel Adebayor had the best opportunity when his powerful drive brought a flying save out of Pepe Reina in the early stages of the second half.

The result nudges City back into fourth place in the Barclays Premier League, while Liverpool go level on both points and goal difference with Aston Villa.

But the return of Torres and Benayoun will give Kopites great cause for optimism that the Reds' pursuit of a top four finish can be a successful one.

The stakes were high as City went into this game one point ahead of Liverpool in the table and occupying the much-coveted fourth position in the table, having played a game less.

However, the Reds were boosted pre-match by the inclusion of Torres and Benayoun amongst the substitutes.

The pair were named in the matchday squad for the first time since the FA Cup third round replay defeat to Reading at Anfield on January 13.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez recalled Emiliano Insua, Lucas Leiva and Maxi Rodriguez to the starting XI following Thursday's Europa League clash with Unirea Urziceni.

Ryan Babel was also rewarded for his electric cameo against the Romanian champions with his first league start since the last time these two sides met at Anfield back in November.

A crackling atmosphere inside Eastlands greeted kick-off, with both sets of fans making themselves heard, though the opening exchanges were fairly tentative as the teams took the opportunity to patiently size each other up.

A half opening for Maxi was the nearest anyone came to threatening goal, but the Argentine was foiled by some good defending by Vincent Kompany. Even an early flurry of Liverpool corner kicks failed to yield a chance, though the visitors were enjoying more possession than their hosts.

The first shot of the game did not arrive until the 25th minute when Steven Gerrard cut inside from the right wing but scooped a left-footed effort high over Shay Given's crossbar.

City's first chance of note saw Adebayor deflect a tame volley from Pablo Zabaleta behind, with Reina never concerned.

A scuffed clearance from Daniel Agger did present Stephen Ireland with a good opportunity soon after, but the City playmaker appeared to be unaware of the space he had on the edge of the box and the chance was lost.

With just over two minutes of the half remaining, the best opening of the contest so far saw Martin Skrtel flash a powerful header wide of the post from Gerrard's corner to ensure the scoreline remained level at the interval.

The start of the second period saw Reina pluck a dangerous corner from the air with Adebayor pressuring before Ireland shot wide from a glorious position, although the Irishman was flagged offside.

City appeared to be buoyed by the half-time words of boss Roberto Mancini and Reina was again required to avert a dangerous corner under the close scrutiny of Joleon Lescott.

Adebayor then drew a great save from the Liverpool custodian on the hour mark as Reina turned the Togo forward's stinging low volley around the base of the post.

It prompted Benitez to summon Benayoun from the bench, with the fit-again Israeli replacing Maxi.

And much to the joy of the travelling Kop, the arrival of Torres soon followed as El Nino took the place of Babel.

But Skrtel was forced to produce a fine challenge on Adebayor to thwart the striker from getting a shot on goal after going through on goal. The resulting corner saw Nigel de Jong play a ball back into the danger zone and City's No.25 tower a header over the bar.

It proved to be the final opportunity of a scrappy contest, with both sides forced to settle for a share of the points - and the race for a top four finish remains as intriguing as ever.