Liverpool were held to a drab goalless draw by Everton on Saturday in a Premier League match sandwiched between their Champions League quarter-final ties against Manchester City.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made five changes from the 3-0 win over City in midweek, choosing not to risk the Premier League's top scorer Mohamed Salah, reports BBC.
And, as the game wore on, he substituted midfielder James Milner and forward Sadio Mane, perhaps with one eye on Tuesday's second leg at Etihad Stadium.
The draw meant Liverpool missed the chance to move above Manchester United into second - they are a point behind their north west rivals, who have two games in hand.
In a largely subdued first half, both home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the visitors' Loris Karius were extended.
After the break, the only heated moments came when Wayne Rooney reacted angrily to being substituted, and Danny Ings and Seamus Coleman briefly clashed.
The hosts pushed hard for a winner late on, but missed four good chances as it finished honours even.