Premier league leading scorer Mohamed Salah had a rare off day as liverpool stumbled in its chase for a top four finish by drawing 0-0 with Stoke on Saturday.
When the Egypt forward broke clear and dinked the ball over goalkeeper Jack Butland, most of Anfield started to celebrate. So there was a feeling of disbelief when the ball went wide and he was denied a 44th goal of the season in all competitions. It was the first time since Dec 26 Salah had started a home match and did not score.
It was liverpool's third draw in four league games. Jurgen Klopp's third-place side still requires a maximum of four points from its last two matches, including a trip to fifth-place Chelsea, to be sure of Champions league qualification.
liverpool's priority is currently this season's Champions league and protecting a 5-2 lead over Roma heading into the semifinal second leg on Wednesday.
The draw did little to help Stoke's survival bid as it remains in the relegation zone surrounded by teams with games in hand.
Burnley 0-0 Brighton
Burnley is virtually assured of playing in Europe for the first time in over 50 years after picking up a point in a 0-0 draw with Brighton in the English Premier league on Saturday.
A spot in the Europa league qualifying will be clinched if Burnley holds onto seventh place. The northwest England club is six points clear of eighth-place Everton with two games remaining and a superior goal difference.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace moved to the brink of English Premier league safety by beating 10-man leicester 5-0 on Saturday.