Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
Liverpool missed a great chance to close the gap on the teams above after a disappointing draw at Anfield.
The reds struggled to break through a defence well marshalled by James Collins and with an impressive appearance from Guy Demel.
The day opened with a minute's silence - this game being the reds last home game prior to the 24th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster on the 15th April.
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Daniel Sturridge was again absent from the starting line-up, as Downing, Suarez and Coutinho were selected to start for the reds. Within 25 minutes of the game however Downing was replaced by Sturridge after a poor opening performance.
After the game the manager admitted that Downing had been unwell and was on medication - making the decision to select him questionable.
It was fairly clear from the outset that West Ham had arrived for a point - their forays into the Liverpool half were limited - although Liverpool were very one dimensional throughout the game.
Coutinho was a bright spark, popping up on a couple of occassions to provide some attempts at goal. All too often the reds attempted to walk through the centre of the pitch - not utilising the wings or getting crosses in.
Both Tomkins and Collins were making relatively easy work of dispossessing both Suarez and Sturridge - both guilty of attempting to many elaborate back heels and flicks at the edge of the penalty box that often came to nothing.
Sturridge had a shot edged on to the post just on the stroke of half time and put the ball in the net in the second half - however it was ruled offside - replays suggesting this was a good decision.
West Ham did have a shout for a penalty after a kick from Enrique, and the reds also had a shout from a Gerrard run in to the box. Neither were given.
The longer Liverpool struggled - the more you feared West Ham may just nick it.
Luckily Lucas Leiva cleared off the line in West Ham's main chance of the game.
Lucas Leiva clears off the line against West Ham
Liverpool remain 9 points behind Spurs and 3 behind Everton - on a day that those two teams also played out a draw.
Next up for Liverpool - the potential banana skin that is Reading away from home next weekend.
