Barcelona 0 - Liverpool 0

Barcelona: Bonano; Puyol, Christanval, Frank De Boer, Coco; Luis Enrique (Gerard 77'), Cocu, Motta; Rivaldo; Saviola (Geovanni 87'), Kluivert. 4-3-1-2.
Liverpool: Dudek; Abel Xavier, Hyppia, Henchoz, Carragher; Murphy, Gerrard (Barmby 80'), Hamann, Riise; Litmanen (Smicer 69'), Heskey (Baros 75'). 4-4-2.

Goals: None.

Group B league table:
Roma.................. 7 points
Barcelona......... 6 points
Galatasaray..... 5 points
Liverpool........... 4 points

Barcelona made life difficult for themselves after they were held to a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp by Liverpool. A draw between Roma and Galatasaray in the other group B match means that the Catalans will have to beat the Turkish side in Istanbul in the last group match next Tuesday to be sure of qualifying for the quarter final stage. A defeat there would mean their elimination from the competition, and in the case of a draw their fate would depend on the result of the game between Liverpool and Roma. Rexach put out a full strength side for this game, with Rivaldo having to have pain-killing injections before the game on his injured knee and Bonano keeping his place in goal after returning to the side at the weekend. Liverpool were missing the injured Michael Owen and the cup-tied Anelka, and Litmanen came in to the starting line up looking for settle an old score against the club who let him go a couple of seasons ago.

The English side had the best of the opening minutes with Heskey forcing Bonano to save at full stretch and Gerrard heading just wide from a long free kick. From then on though Barça dominated, with Saviola in particular causing problems for the visitors' defence, and when Luis Enrique just failed to get on the end of ball in from the young Argentine international, Barcelona club president forgot himself and clutched the shoulder of king Juan Carlos, who was sitting next to him in the directors' box. With a bit more luck Saviola could have had two penalties either side of half time when brought down by Dudek and then Carragher, and Christanval hit the post with a header, the ball falling to Cocu who could not control it in time to score. Cocu was fortunate a few minutes later when the ball hit his hand in the area, Greek referee Kiros Vassaras not seeing the incident, and Rexach upset the local fans taking off Saviola three minutes from the end to put on Geovanni. In the end though Liverpool held on to repeat last season's UEFA cup semi-final result and keep their hopes alive of reaching the next round, and Barça have to win in the Ali Sami Yen stadium in front of a fanatical crowd if they want to continue in the competition. Those of a nervous disposition should not switch on their TV sets next Tuesday.