Liverpool have been held to a goalless half-time draw by a resolute Besiktas side in their first-leg round-of-32 Europa League clash at Anfield tonight.

The hosts flew out of the traps and Daniel Sturridge fashioned an early chance, but saw his angled shot saved by Cenk Gonen.

Brendan Rodgers's side continued to toil in the final third for much of the half without ever threatening an opener.

Nevertheless, the hosts were given a warning on 32 minutes when captain Veli Kavlak headed agonisingly wide from a corner.

Demba Ba - then at Chelsea - derailed Liverpool's Premier League title bid last season by capitalising on a Steven Gerrard error en route to beating Simon Mignolet in a one-on-one.

However, the Senegalese hitman fluffed his lines this time after running through with the Belgian after Mignolet palmed his effort to safety.

The Merseysiders finished the half on top, with Sturridge and Jordan Henderson both going close with free kicks, but Besiktas held on.