Liverpool still hold a slender aggregate advantage over Besiktas in the second leg of their last-32 Europa League encounter this evening, with the sides playing out a goalless first half at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
The game began in rather tense circumstances as both sides wrestled for a foothold, with Olcay Sahan producing some good work to seek out Demba Ba, who was thwarted by some good defensive work from Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool's first chance did not arrive until the 20th minute, when Alberto Moreno found Raheem Sterling, leaving the young winger to draw a strong save from Cenk Gonen.
Some good play from Daniel Sturridge saw him play in Sterling just a few minutes later, but his first touch was poor, allowing the Besiktas defence to recover in time to make the clearance.
The Reds passed up a perfect chance to move in front in the 31st minute after Mario Balotelli robbed a defender, but Sturridge's effort was too tame to get past Gonen who saved comfortably.
Christopher Dodd
