Liverpool hold Roma

Vladimir Smicer nearly scored for Liverpool early on

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Roma 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool delivered a highly competent performance to reignite their Champions League hopes with a 0-0 draw against Roma in group B.

In the past Liverpool have enjoyed some glorious nights in the Eternal city, winning two European Cup finals in Italy's capital as well as beating Roma 2-0 in last season's Uefa Cup.

We heard Fabio Capello having a right go at them at half-time

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson

And this was another disciplined display away from home.

Liverpool dominated the first half thanks to their ability to retain possession more effectively than they had been able to do in their 3-1 defeat to Barcelona a fortnight ago at Anfield.

Roma were a much more potent threat after the interval - but to Liverpool's credit, the home side struggled to create any clear openings.

The shame for Liverpool was their inability to exploit the pace of Michael Owen.

Tightly marked by Aldair and Walter Samuel, the England striker was reduced to a virtual spectator for the entire game.

Liverpool's best work was often conducted down their left, where Vladimir Smicer was a constant threat and he was well supported by John Arne Riise.

On 14 minutes it was Smicer who deftly executed a technically superb volley from Jamie Carragher's hanging diagonal pass.

But Francesco Antonioli denied the Czech international with a good save.

Liverpool's best chance in the opening period fell to Emile Heskey.

The England international side-footed the ball wide from a promising position after the Roma defence had been unable to clear a Liverpool free-kick.

While Liverpool were bright and busy, Roma were nervy, verging on the sloppy, as midfielders Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann unsettled the Serie A side's passing rhythm.

Gabriel Batistuta was guilty of such sloppiness when he was put clear by Francesco Totti - but he scythed his half-volley wide of Jerzy Dudek's goal.

On 59 minutes Totti again released Batistuta into space, but this time Riise intelligently shepherded the Argentine into a wide position.

Roman dynamism

So dominant were Liverpool that Roma were restricted to long-range efforts in the opening 45 minutes, the best of which came from Emerson, whose shot was grasped by Dudek.

Roma were much more threatening in the second period after coach Fabio Capello replaced Gianni Guigou with Marcos Assuncao.

The change brought more dynamism to the Roma midfield and the Brazilian himself went close with a number of fierce strikes at goal - most notably on 63 minutes when his dipping free-kick went narrowly wide of Dudek's right-hand post.

Late on, Dudek needed two attempts to gather Francisco's stinging shot.

In stoppage time the Polish keeper was also unable to hold another Assuncao shot, but Stephane Henchoz was on hand to clear the danger.

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Roma: Antonioli, Zebina, Aldair, Samuel, Guigou, Candela, Emerson, Lima, Tommasi, Batistuta, Totti. Subs: Cejas, Zago, Cufre, Fuser, Assuncao, Cassano, Delvecchio.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Smicer, Heskey, Owen. Subs: Kirkland, Berger, McAllister, Diomede, Biscan, Wright, Litmanen.

Referee: Dick Jol (Holland).