Liverpool dominated for long periods without ever threatening whilst Sparta Prague created the better chances in a disappointing scoreless draw in the final 32 of the Europa League. Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish whilst happy with a clean sheet in the first leg of this Europa tie will surely expect his players to be more positive and create more chances when the two teams meet again at Anfield next week.
Sparta keeper Jaromir Blazek did not have one save to make during the whole game and the only threat to the home side's goal was the attacking ambitions of Reds full back Glen Johnson in the second half.
Liverpool were too slow in their approach play when they should have been looking to take advantage of a team who were only just returning to action after a three month winter break.
David Ngog as a lone striker for the visitor's had little support and in the end Liverpool had keeper Pepe Reina to thank for keeping the scoreline blank.
Sparta had more attacking ambitions and late on Leony Kweuke turned quickly and shot from close range but Reina made a smart stop low down.
As the temperature dropped so did the entertainment level but Liverpool have now gone six games away in Europe without defeat whilst Sparta continue their unwanted record of not scoring at home against English opposition in six games.
Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)
Venue: Stadion Letná Attendance: 17,564
Prague scorers: Liverpool scorers:
SPARTA PRAGUE 29 Blazek 02 Repka (yellow card) 21 Brabec 38 Abena 03 Pamic 08 Matejovsky 13 Kusnir 25 Vacek 09 Leonard Kweuke 14 Kadlec (Zeman 89) 40 Keric (Sionko 73)
Substitutes 01 Zitka, 19 Bondoa, 27 Husek, 05 Podany, 07 Sionko, 22 Zeman, 41 Pekhart
LIVERPOOL 25 Reina 02 G Johnson 06 Aurelio (Cole 38 (yellow card) 16 Kyrgiakos 22 Wilson 23 Carragher 04 Meireles 17 Maxi 21 Lucas 18 Kuyt 24 Ngog (yellow card) (Skrtel 84)
Substitutes 42 Gulacsi, 34 Kelly, 37 Skrtel, 10 Cole, 35 Conor Coady, 12 Pacheco, 14 Jovanovic
