Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty as Liverpool and Manchester City shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk hauled down Leroy Sane leaving referee Martin Atkinson no choice but to point to the spot. However, after insisting he take the penalty instead of substitute Gabriel Jesus, Mahrez leaned back and sent the penalty clear of the crossbar.
Mohamed Salah missed a good chance to open the scoring early on, cutting inside Aymeric Laporte on this left foot but skewing his effort wide.
James Milner went off with a suspected hamstring injury midway through the first half and was replaced by Naby Keita, who was only just returning from a back problem sustained in the 1-0 defeat to Napoli.
Sergio Aguero then had a reasonable case for a penalty turned down by referee Martin Atkinson after being clipped by Dejan Lovren in the box. The Argentinian striker got up straight away, however, suggesting the contact was only minimal.
Chances were at a premium in the first half but things brightened up in the second half.
High and wide: Mahrez watches his late penalty over the bar (AFP/Getty Images)
Mahrez twice tested Alisson while Salah had a few sights of goal as both sides finally tried to take the game to their opponents.
All square at Anfield after Riyad Mahrez misses a penalty for Manchester City.
1⃣ Man. City 20 points (+18 goal difference)
2⃣ Chelsea 20 points (+13)
3⃣ Liverpool 20 points (+12)#UCL pic.twitter.com/StF8otrRpj— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 7, 2018
But it was Mahrez who had the chance to take all three points. But the £60 million man could only look on in horror as his chances of being the hero, and Man City taking three points, disappeared with his missed spot-kick