Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow was the hero as his side held Liverpool to a goalless draw at St James' Park.
The home side started brightly and Callum Wilson's low strike in the third minute forced a fine save from Alisson.
Liverpool responded, with Darlow brilliantly getting a touch on Mohamed Salah's left-footed shot to push the ball wide of the post.
Sadio Mane went close for the champions after the break but could only head Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross into the side-netting.
Fabian Schar cleared off the line when a Darlow save rebounded goalwards off Mane's knee, while Darlow superbly stopped a Roberto Firmino header as Liverpool pressed for a late winner.
Jurgen Klopp's side remain top on 33 points, three clear of Man Utd in second who have a match in hand, while Newcastle are 14th on 19 points.
See: Newcastle report | Liverpool report
Next fixtures
Newcastle: 3 Jan v Leicester (H)
Liverpool: 4 Jan v Southampton (A)
Match officials
Referee: Paul Tierney. Assistants: Harry Lennard, Adrian Holmes. Fourth official: Lee Mason. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Stephen Child.
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