In a Catalan cauldron brimming with red and blue, Liverpool drew Barcelona's sting last night to preserve their hopes of winning a first European trophy since 1984.
Having earlier predicted their visit might spark a 5-5 goal-glut, the Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has clearly been mixing mind games with defensive drills. In truth, this goalless draw was earned with a committed and rugged display that rarely suggested any loftier ambition.
Only when home irritation transposed into sloppiness late on, when substitute Robbie Fowler's looping header had Reina scurrying nervously, did the visitors threaten to prise away a priceless goal. Yet at the final whistle it was very much mission accomplished.
Houllier's side have been gorging themselves on three fronts recently, with the FA Cup and their pursuit of a top-three finish still whetting appetites on Merseyside. In contrast, Barcelona have been left with the scraps of a season. Their humiliating elimination from the first phase of the Champions League prompted Louis van Gaal's ignominious departure. An inability to challenge Real Madrid at the top of La Liga has grated ever since.
Nevertheless, with the mouth-watering array of attacking talent at the disposal of Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, under-achievement hangs heavy in the Catalan air. For the winners a place in the final beckoned, probably against Alaves who were busy storing up an impressive 5-1 first-leg lead against Kaiserslautern.
Not that the patient short-passing routines of the early stages had pulses racing, until Rivaldo emerged to shake off the torpor, skimming a shot off Sami Hyypia for a corner before nodding Luis Enrique into the area, only for the Catalan to slice horribly wide.
With Emile Heskey playing as a fifth midfielder, the visitors lacked an outlet to disrupt Barca's monopoly on possession. Yet, with white shirts of Liverpool banked behind the ball, the home attacks consistently foundered.
When Rivaldo gathered the ball majestically on his chest and turned inside Stephane Henchoz only to scuff his shot wide, the Catalans appeared as likely to find a finishing touch as Gaudi might on his Sagrada Familia.
It took 28 minutes for Liverpool to muster any threatening response. Heskey slipped Patrick Berger down the left flank. The Czech's low cross zipped across the six-yard box, forcing Sergi to knock the ball behind as Danny Murphy sprinted into the area.
Yet the respite was brief as Rivaldo nutmegged Henchoz but dragged a shot wide. Then, with three minutes of the first half remaining, Philip Cocu speared just wide from 25-yards as Sander Westerveld sprawled frantically.
Merseyside last decamped to Catalonia 25 years ago when Liverpool became the only British side to plunder Barcelona. John Toshack's goal sufficed then, propelling the Reds into the UEFA Cup final.
But, after 17 years without a European trophy, some of the old Scouse swagger has reappeared and Liverpool's defensive defiance warmed their supporters' cockles. Henchoz, forced wide, dealt with another Marc Overmars burst while Hyypia did likewise for Gabri.
The chances continued to flow. Jamie Carragher dived to block Luis Enrique's goal-bound shot after Sergi's cross had been inadvertently touched on by Hyypia. Much to the chagrin of the home side, Rivaldo then flicked a volley wide of Westerveld's near post. The Brazilian took his frustrations out on Dietmar Hamann, pole-axed as he blocked his long-range free-kick.
Only when Berger, recently returned to match fitness after knee ligament damage, emerged from midfield to support Michael Owen did the visitors suggest an attacking policy. But, with Sergi again venturing forward if only to spoon a shot wastefully over the bar, such sorties were increasingly rare.
BARCELONA: Reina, Gabri, de Boer, Puyol, Sergi, Luis Enrique (Xavi 72), Guardiola , Cocu, Overmars (Zenden 72), Rivaldo, Kluivert. Subs Not Used: Dutruel, De la Pena, Alfonso, Petit, Dani. Booked: Zenden.
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard, Murphy (Smicer 59), Hamann, Berger (McAllister 83), Owen (Fowler 73), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Ziege, Barmby, Vignal. Booked: Fowler. Att: 90,000
Referee: H Krug (Germany).
