Liverpool's Spanish contingent meet their match in Deportivo

A dominant Liverpool were left to rue a series of missed chances after drawing 0-0 against Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna in a Champions League Group A clash.

Liverpool's Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse both missed great first half chances to put the hosts ahead, denied on each occasion by brilliant saves from veteran Deportivo goalkeeper Jose Molina.

The visitors came closest to scoring early on against the run of play, but Cesar saw his close range header cleared off the line.

Ten Spaniards started the game for both sides, seven for Deportivo and three for Liverpool -- Josemi, Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso, bought by the Reds new Spanish manager Rafael Benitez over the summer.

Liverpool were still without England midfielder Steven Gerrard, suffering from an injured foot. In fact the Reds began Tuesday's match with just two English players, goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and central defender Jamie Carragher. Doportivo missed Sergio through suspension.

"I'm not happy with the result, but I am happy with the way we played," said Benitez whose side are now second in the group, two points behind Monaco, with three games to play.

"It was the best Liverpool performance I have seen since I came here."

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta said he believed 0-0 was a "fair" result.

"It was an even game throughout," he said. "Neither side was capable of scoring the goals the game needed."

Both Liverpool and Deportivo came into the game boosted by weekend victories in their domestic championships.

The hosts attacked from the first minute, left-back Djimi Traore lofting a ball into area that was met by Djibril Cisse but his header failed to test the keeper.

With Liverpool dominating possession early on, Deportivo became frustrated and it was not long before their left midfielder Alberto Luque received the game's first booking for kicking the ball away.

Deportivo could easily have scored against the run of play, however, but Cesar's powerful header from a Luque corner was cleared off the line by Norwegian international John Arne Riise in the 15th minute.

Liverpool should have scored themselves four minutes later, but Cisse's close-range shot was deflected to safety. The Frenchman had another great chance half-way through the first half, but his shot from a Baros cross was brilliantly tipped away by Molina.

Liverpool continued to attack and only a last-ditch tackle from Manuel Pablo prevented Baros from finding the net. Baros, top scorer in Euro 2004, ran on to a through ball from Dietmar Hamann, rounded Molina who had raced out of his box, but Pablo rushed back in time to thwart the diminutive striker.

Baros fired a long-range shot just wide before the half ended while Hamann picked up a yellow card for a foul on Victor.

Liverpool started the second period as bright as the first, keeping hold of the ball while Deportivo rarely threatened the hosts' goal.

Deportivo captain Mauro Silvo was stretchered off on the hour-mark, replaced by Lionel Scaloni. With the game entering the final quarter, Benitez threw on Harry Kewell for Riise.

The Australian winger, returning after injury, made an immediate impression, firing over a cross from the left which fell to Cisse on the edge of the box, but his shot was parried away by Molina.

Cisse departed in the 75th minute, replaced by Stephen Finnan. The switch saw Garcia move into attack, his midfield berth taken by the Irishman.

Three minutes later, Kewell cut in from the left but had his long shot easily saved.

Kewell and Hamann both fired free-kicks high and wide in stoppage time.