EPL 2014: Liverpool play out lackluster goal-less draw with Sunderland

Sunderland held Liverpool to a disappointing 0-0 draw in their Premier League clash on Saturday, with coach Brendan Rodgers deciding to rest captain Steven Gerrard, which backfired on the Anfield outfit.

Gerrard was brought on after 67 minutes at Anfield as Rodgers desperately sought what would have been a third league victory in eight days.

But the former England captain could not inspire his team to victory, leaving Liverpool at a low ebb ahead of Tuesday's must-win Champions League group game at home to Swiss side Basel.

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The draw has left Liverpool four points below the Champions League qualifying places and 15 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, Sport24 reported.

The game saw Rickie Lambert's header from an Adam Lallana cross mid-way through the first half that cleared the crossbar by some distance.

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Philippe Coutinho made room for himself with some quick footwork on the edge of the box, but his low shot presented visiting goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon with no problems.

Those half-chances aside, Liverpool enjoyed ample possession outside the Sunderland penalty area without ever unleashing the decisive pass that could have resulted in a goal.

Gus Poyet's players were content to try and hurt Liverpool on the break and in fact procured the best chance of the first half, with the unmarked Wes Brown heading over from a Sebastian Larsson corner, the report added.