Southampton 0-0 Liverpool: Table-topping Reds held by stubborn Saints - 5 things we learned

The Reds' plethora of former Saints couldn't find a way through as Claude Puel's men withstood everything the visitors threw at them

Jurgen Klopp may live to regret a catalogue of missed chances in the squalls of rain and obdurate Saints resistance.

Dropped points at St Mary's will not make or break Liverpool 's title charge, but artistic impression and high tempo alone will not bring the holy grail back to Anfield after 27 years.

Liverpool squandered a two-goal lead and lost the corresponding fixture last season, a defeat which effectively put the tin lid on their chances of a top-four finish – and a stark reversal of their six-goal romp in the League Cup at St Mary's.

In conditions which sometimes felt like the end of the world more than the end of autumn, chances were much harder to find this time in an orgy of gegenpress, as Jurgen Klopp would call it.

When ex-Saints striker Sadio Mane enjoyed a clear sight of goal after 28 minutes, England goalkeeper Fraser Forster denied his old team-mate with a flying save.

Georginio Wijnaldum's rocket on the stroke of the interval was not far away, but Philippe Countinho, sent clear by Brazilian sidekick Roberto Firmino, could only slice his shot wide under pressure from Jose Fonte when he looked odds-on to score.

From about the same range, Firmino then missed the best chance of the match as Liverpool cranked up the pressure, and Nathaniel Clyne went close when sub Daniel Sturridge stood up a cross towards the far post.

But they were unable to take liberties at the other end, Charlie Austin heading narrowly wide from Cedric's cross in a rare Saints excursion into Liver bird territory.

Here are five things we learned:

1. No easy cures for jet-lag

For a player who has just clocked up 12,000 air miles, Philippe Coutinho made an enlightened – if spasmodic – contribution.

Coutinho has produced magic at St Mary's before, but long-haul travel to play for Brazil in World Cup qualifiers is no recipe for hocus-pocus, and it was no surprise that his stardust was rationed here.

When Coutinho did reach into his top hat, he came up with one outrageous wriggle from the tightest of corners, emerging with the ball despite the attention of three opponents.

But he wasted a great chance to open the scoring, shanking his shot wide under pressure from Jose Fonte.

2. Firmino doesn't fall down like Pinocchio

At first glance, Roberto Firmino's all-fall-down exercise, under escort from Saints defender Virgil Van Dijk, looked like one of those cases of a player “going down too easily.”

But replays revealed Van Dijk had, in fact, helped himself to a fistful of Firmino's shirt and the Brazilian should have been awarded a penalty.

There was nowhere to hide, however, when Firmino swept a glorious chance wide midway through the second half.

During the international break, Firmino's man-bun appears to have grown like cartoon character Pinocchio's nose when he tells a fib – if it grows much longer, he'll be able to moonlight as a chimney sweep.

3. No love lost for Lovren

Although Dejan Lovren was by no means the only ex-Southampton player in Liverpool's squad, Saints fans reserved their full-strength venom for the Croatian defender.

Lovren's fellow south coast refugees Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane were treated as returning pilgrims, but Lovren – who is perceived to have agitated for his move until his wish was granted – was afforded no such courtesy.

To drown out the concerto of booing every time he touched the ball, 3,500 travelling emissaries from Merseyside cheered Lovren to the rafters. It was all rather pantomime.

4. Every Claude has a silver lining

When Ronald Koeman defected to the blue half of Merseyside and Claude Puel was installed as his successor, neutrals wondered if this might be the year Southampton's revolving door caught up with them.

But whispering Frenchman Puel – unless you are within 18in of earshot, you will struggleto hear him at Press conferences - has enjoyed the same levels of application and intensity as his predecessor.

Saints worked like dervishes to contain the leaders, and their effort made for a tight contest with few chances, but Southampton's commitment to the cause was transparent evidence of a team who believe in their manager.

5. Klopp's top cabaret

Jurgen Klopp revealed during the week that he once disguised himself in a Santa Claus outfit so he would not be pestered by fans.

This time he came as Basil Fawlty, hopping around his technical area like an excitable Torquay hotelier when Nathaniel Clyne's pass intended for Sadio Mane went astray and then Emre Can drilled a decent chance wide.