LIVERPOOL extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games as they drew 1-1 with Premier League leaders Manchester City at Anfield.
Joleon Lescott's own goal cancelled out Vincent Kompany's header before the break but the Reds deserved more from an enthralling contest.
Unbeaten City, who had dropped just two points in their opening 12 league games, were second best for long periods as Kenny Dalglish's side stamped their authority on proceedings.
During a one-sided second half the Reds created some great chances but they found City goalkeeper Joe Hart in outstanding form.
Liverpool's cause was boosted by the late dismissal of City substitute Mario Balotelli but they couldn't find the winner their gutsy performance warranted.
Dalglish made two changes to the side which won 2-1 at Chelsea with Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson coming in for Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy had been left devastated by news of the death of his Wales boss Gary Speed and was told by Dalglish he wouldn't be considered for the game.
There was a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of Speed and Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones' five-year-old son Luca, who recently lost his long battle with leukaemia.
Clearly wary of City's attacking threat, Dalglish packed the midfield and during a frenetic opening space was at a premium.
Yaya Toure lashed a shot over before a poor backpass from Jose Enrique led to Pepe Reina dashing off his line to deny Sergio Aguero.
The Argentinian striker claimed Reina had handled the ball outside the box but his protests were dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson.
Aguero continued to pose a threat and he raced past centre-backs Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger but to the Reds' relief he then stumbled and the chance went begging.
City broke the deadlock in the 31st minute as Kompany rose to head home David Silva's corner.
However, Liverpool responded brightly and within two minutes they were level. Charlie Adam's low 30-yarder took a big deflection off Lescott and left keeper Hart helpless as it nestled in the corner.
Roaring on by a vociferous home crowd, the Reds had City rocking and should have gone in front eight minutes before the break.
Luis Suarez released Dirk Kuyt but the Dutchman's touch let him down and he was forced wide. Kuyt unselfishly teed up Adam who looked destined to score but Hart stuck out a leg to somehow divert his shot past the post.
From the resulting corner, Suarez pulled away into space but fired his effort high over the bar.
At the end of an enthralling first half Reina was called into action to thwart Aguero again after a slick exchange of passes with the impressive Silva.
Early in the second half the unmarked Kuyt wasted a great opportunity when he nodded Downing's deflected cross wide at the far post.
It was a performance full of passion and desire from the Reds who constantly pressed City and forced them into coughing up possession.
On 67 minutes Suarez picked out Downing on the edge of the box and his volley bounced up and towards the top corner but Hart reacted to tip it over.
Liverpool continued to take the game to City as Suarez skipped past Gael Clichy in the box. His cross was met by Lescott whose attempted clearance struck Kuyt and flew just past the post.
Skrtel then fired weakly at Hart after the ball dropped to him in the area and Downing lashed a volley wide from Henderson's cross.
With seven minutes to go Liverpool were handed a numerical advantage. City sub Balotelli had already been booked for fouling Johnson when he picked up a second yellow for his aerial challenge on Skrtel.
Dalglish reacted by bringing on Andy Carroll in place of Kuyt and only the brilliance of Hart denied Liverpool a late winner.
First, Suarez latched on to Lucas' pass and saw his shot expertly pushed behind by Hart. Then in stoppage time Carroll powered a header goalwards but the England No 1 clawed it to safety.
