A frustrating afternoon for Liverpool saw them draw 0-0 away at St. Mary’s on Saturday against a stubborn Southampton side.

Somehow, the game ended scoreless as the two sides went hammer and tongs for the full ninety minutes with the Reds having the better of the chances.

Sadio Mane, on his return to the south coast, had a golden chance to haunt his old side in the first half but couldn’t take it as he found an inspired Virgil van Dijk throwing his body in the way of his right footed effort.

It was a truly incredible performance from the Dutchman and things largely kept to that theme in the second half as the Reds ran out of steam.

The Saints also had chances, with Charlie Austin squandering one of their best to ensure 0-0 was how it finished.

A very curious 0-0 then. Here’s what we learned from it.

 Liverpool won’t run away with the title

When the Reds hit the summit of the Premier League many quarters were wondering who was going to stop them. They were blowing teams away and without European football were looking fresh every week, but this draw has suggested it’s not going to be all plain sailing despite that lack of extra competition. The Reds will likely challenge for the title but it’s not going to all go their own way and they can’t expect to batter everyone.

 Van Dijk could be world class

Virgil van Dijk was hugely important in the Saints keeping a clean sheet today. The former Celtic man has continually grown in stature and, especially this season, there’s very few in the division who can compare to him. Whilst that is obviously a good thing for the south coast side in the immediate future, they could find themselves receiving a number of bids if he carries on at this rate.

 Reds’ defence is improving

Liverpool’s back line held firm when Southampton did come forward and despite not getting the three points they wanted, they at least took a clean sheet from a typically tough place to visit in the Premier League. Many have said the Anfield side’s shaky defence could cost them a shot at the title but if it continues in this manner and they find their goal-scoring touch again, they’ll be right up there come the end of the season.

 Southampton not quite the side they were

You get the feeling that the Southampton of the last few seasons could have nicked the game but they just couldn’t find a way to breach the Reds defence. It was always going to be inevitable that the Saints would drop off after the amount of players and managers they’ve lost over the last few summers and whilst they’re still a decent team, matching last season’s sixth place might just be too much of a stretch.

 Breaking down sides away from home a problem for Liverpool

The Reds simply couldn’t break the Saints down and that could prove Liverpool’s undoing in the title race this season. Whilst Chelsea went to St. Mary’s a couple of weeks ago and saw off the south coast side with a professional performance, the men from Anfield simply couldn’t get things to go their way. The team seem fine at home but against teams that want to sit in, they appear to be finding it difficult on the road.