Liverpool endured an afternoon of frustration as they were held to a goalless draw by Swansea City at Anfield on Saturday.

Andy Carroll had the Reds' best chance with just seven minutes on the clock when a bright start almost resulted in a goal, but the striker struck Stewart Downing's cross against the crossbar from six yards.

The visitors were not without their chances and Mark Gower could have secured all three points at the death, but fired high over the bar when well placed, while only a brilliant save from Michel Vorm thwarted Glen Johnson in stoppage time.

The result means Liverpool have drawn their last three Anfield matches in the league, but extend their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

The pre-match news emanating from the dressing room confirmed the Reds were again without the services of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as Kenny Dalglish opted to name the same side that had dismantled West Brom so comprehensively a week earlier.

Swansea's trip to Anfield was their first in nearly 22 years having been dispatched 8-0 in an FA Cup third round replay in front of the Kop in January 1990.

However, the current-day Swans have collected plenty of admirers since gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League in May due a refreshing approach to life in the top-flight which meant they ventured to L4 in 10th position in the table.

Nonetheless, they almost found themselves trailing after seven minutes when Liverpool's measured approach to the early stages was almost rewarded in front of the watching John Henry.

A slick give-and-go between Downing and Charlie Adam sent the former scampering down the left wing before delivering a low cross which was cannoned against the crossbar by Carroll at close range.

Soon after, Luis Suarez held off the attentions of two visiting defenders before drilling just wide of the post, while Downing had an effort deflected over the bar.

It appeared as though a goal was inevitable for the hosts - but Swansea almost stunned Anfield just shy of the half-hour mark when Pepe Reina was forced to produce a flying stop to turn away Danny Graham's hook from a Wayne Routledge delivery.

Back came Liverpool and Suarez called Vorm into action when he created space on the edge of the box before seeing a powerful left-foot strike turned around the base of the post via a fine save from the Dutch 'keeper. From the resulting corner, the ball broke for Downing, but his half-volley cleared the bar.

Next, in what was becoming an increasingly open contest, Joe Allen shaved the outside of the post with a low side-foot through a crowd of players - and in first-half stoppage time, Carroll's downward header from Downing's corner was cleared from danger to ensure the teams went into the break on level terms.

Dalglish introduced Dirk Kuyt into the action at the start of the second period, with the forward replacing Jordan Henderson.

And Liverpool continued to toil in search of an opener, with Suarez flicking an Adam free-kick into the grasp of Vorm before Graham almost stole in to catch Reina unawares when he collected a backpass from Enrique, but the Spaniard was able to skip away from the Swansea striker.

The visitors were proving dangerous on the counter, and Nathan Dyer brought a block out of Reina after he'd ghosted in behind the Reds rearguard.

The Swans winger again tested Liverpool's custodian on 65 minutes with a low drive from 20 yards which was spilled by Reina, but he was able to get his body in the way of Graham's follow up.

With time ticking away, Carroll was replaced by Craig Bellamy as Dalglish looked to inject fresh impetus into his side having failed to test Vorm for much of the second 45.

Only a fine challenge from Neil Taylor prevented Kuyt from getting a shot in after a well-worked one-two with Suarez, and Daniel Agger looped a header onto the roof of the net as the Reds rallied in the closing stages.

Swansea had a glorious chance to take the lead with six minutes remaining, but Gower skied Graham's knockdown into the Kop.

At the other end, Kuyt thought he had won the game - but an offside flag cut short his celebrations after he'd headed beyond Vorm from Agger's nod down.

Vorm then produced a fantastic save to turn Johnson's volley over as the teams were forced to settle for a point apiece.