Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (left) vies for the ball with West Ham's Hayden Mullins, during their English Premier League match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool yesterday. The match ended 0-0. - AP

LIVERPOOL, England (AP)

Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by West Ham yesterday squandering a chance to pull away from Chelsea atop the Premier League.

The Reds still lead the standings by one point, but missed a host of chances as they failed to exploit Chelsea's surprise loss to Arsenal on Sunday and allowed West Ham to earn their first point at Anfield in nine years.

Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt came close with first-half headers, while West Ham's Craig Bellamy twice threatened to inflict damage to his former club's title ambitions.

The third 0-0 draw of the season at Anfield came in freezing conditions against the stubborn Hammers, just nine days after Liverpool was held to the same result by Fulham.

Dominated

Liverpool dominated possession and territory and Hyypia, who started in place of Daniel Agger, twice came close to breaking the deadlock in the first 20 minutes.

The Finland defender headed over from Steven Gerrard's corner, but thought his second nodded effort was destined for the net until Carlton Cole hacked clear.

Having withstood the Liverpool onslaught, Bellamy came close to punishing his former side in the 37th.

Pepe Reina was beaten by Bellamy's fierce shot from 30 yards, but it struck the inside of the post.

Bellamy provided another scare on the stroke of half time, but Reina collected the ball this time.

In the opposite goal, Robert Green repelled Kuyt's shot from point-blank range.

The Liverpool pressure continued in the second half, with Benayoun's angled drive saved sublimely by Green.

Kuyt wasted a great opening after he headed past James Collins and nudged the ball further forward, unleashing a weak shot from distance rather than picking out Gerrard.

Robbie Keane, who has scored just one league goal since joining in July, never looked able to provide the breakthrough. With striker Fernando Torres set to miss most of the month, Keane has a chance to establish his striking credentials but looked hesitant partnering Kuyt.

Best chance

The Ireland captain's best chance was a feeble slice into the sidenetting in the 55th, and he was taken off 10 minutes later and replaced by David Ngog.

But still Liverpool couldn't find a winner in front of co-owner George Gillett Jr., on his first visit to Anfield since September.

Before kickoff, fans wore T-shirts urging the government to release Michael Shields, the Liverpool fan who is serving a 10-year sentence for attempted murder of a Bulgarian bartender.

Shields, who was transferred to Britain to serve the remainder of his sentence in 2006, had been visiting Bulgaria after watching Liverpool win the 2005 Champions League title in neighbouring Turkey.