Liverpool blew a chance to assert their dominance in the top four race with a stalemate against Southampton.

James Milner missed his first penalty since 2009 after Jack Stephens appeared to have handled the ball from a Lucas Leiva cross late into the second half.

But the Reds’ vice-captain was denied by Fraser Forster, who also saved a goal-bound header from substitute Marko Grujic in the final minutes of the game.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Another chance blown in top four race

 

A win would have effectively sealed Liverpool’s place in the top four this season.

Manchester United, currently occupying fifth, trailing their fierce rivals by six points, would have struggled to bridge that gap even with a game in hand

But the Reds will now be sweating over the proximity of Jose Mourinho’s side.

This result proved to be yet another missed opportunity and continued the recent tradition of faltering at the final hurdle.

If the worst does happen and Liverpool end up missing out on the Champions League next season, they will only have themselves to blame.

Questions must be raised about the psychology at a club that continues to complete the job, whether it’s securing a title or European qualification.

Breaking down parked busses is a must

 

Much has been made of Jurgen Klopp’s side and their attacking prowess this season, with their 71 goals so far among the best in the top flight.

Sadly it was sorely missed against the Saints as the trio of Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

Much of that was down to the visitors’ decision to park the bus and use Oriol Romeu as an impenetrable wall in front of their equally dogged defence.

It is not the first time that teams have enjoyed success against Liverpool by employing such a tactic and it will likely haunt them again in future.

Klopp must tweak his system to find ways to outmanoeuvre such obstacles next season.

Lack of pace hurts attacking intentions

 

Tuesday’s end-of-season awards should deliver little surprise for Liverpool fans.

Even while injured, Sadio Mane is still a shoo-in to be Player of the Year.

The Senegalese forward has proved to be an inspired signing, injecting pace and incisiveness to the forward line. Without him, both traits are sorely lacking.

That was evident here as they failed to create chances and played into Southampton’s hands with slow build up play and the lack of a cutting edge.

It is no surprise a long list of pacy players being linked with a move to Anfield; an injection of pace is sorely needed in the summer transfer window.

Anfield’s fear factor is gone

 

Klopp used his programme notes to claim that opposition teams know that Anfield is ‘a place where Liverpool performs and gets results’.

The underlying sentiment is that teams fear travelling to the red half of Merseyside. In truth, the opposite appears to be the case.

They may have the fourth-best home record in the league but there is a tangible sense that visiting teams no longer fear the trip to Merseyside.

That has been evident in the last three home games, with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and now Southampton all taking points and showing little anxiety in doing so.

Klopp is insistent in his belief that Liverpool are a force to be reckoned with on home soil but the reality is far from true – Anfield’s fear factor is no longer there.