Press Association report

Matthew Le Tissier's slim chance of forcing his way back into England's World Cup showdown in Rome in three weeks disappeared after just 43 minutes of his comeback against Liverpool.

The Southampton playmaker, whose inclusion at Wembley in February was blamed for Glenn Hoddle's defeat by the Italians, made his delayed Premiership reappearance after breaking his arm in the summer.

But after a couple of bright moments he left before half-time with a typical petulant booking and a thigh injury.

The bottom club were left to rely once more on sweat rather than inspiration, yet it paid off through their hardest worker Kevin Davies who earned them just their fourth point from 21 this troubled season.

A £750,000 buy from last season's cup giantkillers Chesterfield, he showed a cool head and great control in the 48th minute to cancel out Karl-Heinz Riedle's second goal since leaving European champions Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The result will disappoint Merseyside as much as it encourages the south coast, Roy Evans' brittle team emerging from the Battle of Britain with Celtic in Glasgow to continue their dull domestic start - just two wins in six now.

On the bright side, Robbie Fowler, hoping to be forgiven by Hoddle for missing the summer tournament, made his first appearance of the season on the hour after an ankle injury.

But he too is ring-rusty and could not snatch the win Liverpool must nowget against Aston Villa on Monday to start forcing their way into thechampionship reckoning.

Le Tissier scored for the reserves in midweek against Watford and stoked up the air of expectancy after just 28 seconds when Michael Thomas, wearing ridiculous green boots, tripped him from behind five yards outside the area.

The Channel Islander shaped ominously over the free kick - but drove it straight into the wall of defenders.

Le Tissier set up a great chance four minutes later but Michael Evans swung and missed while Alan Neilson blazed the loose ball over.

Dave Jones has recruited well from the lower divisions and his old Stockport goalkeeper Paul Jones produced a great save to claw out a Riedle header.

McManaman had a nightmare in the 21st minute, pouncing on a sloppy Le Tissier pass deep in the Liverpool half to lead a three-on-two break.

As Ken Monkou and Lundekvam split wide to cover Owen and Riedle, the goal opened up at the England midfielder's mercy but he swung at the ball from 20 yards and completely missed, ending up in a tangle of coltish legs.

Davies ran himself ragged up front and set up a chance for Le Tissier in the 27th minute, driven wide of the left-hand post from 25 yards.

Le Tissier returned the compliment moments later, threading one of his trademark passes over 40 yards into the path of Davies who caught Matteo off balance but was denied when james managed to scramble the shot just past his post.

Liverpool had hardly threatened before they took the lead with a touch of German efficiency after 37 minutes, McManaman planting a great cross from the left on to the head of Riedle who arrowed it towards the top corner. Jones got a hand to it but could notkeep it out.

Frances Benali was booked for a foul on Owen and then Le Tissier collected a yellow card for arguing that McAteer should have received the same treatment for a foul on Benali.

It seemed like the last straw and he limped off to be replaced by on-loan Jason Bowen.

Saints had furious claims for a penalty in added time when Monkou's header seemed to be controlled by McAteer's arm. Peter Jones, from Loughborough, was roundly booed into the referee's dressing room.

Davies gave Southampton a dream start to the second half with his fourth goal since becoming a Premiership striker.

The 20 year old hauled down Kevin Richardson's long ball forward and then teased the backing-off Wright off balance before drilling a low right foot shot past james' despairing left hand.

Davies had a great chance to seize the lead after 56 minutes, battling past Thomas to angle into the penalty area from the right with time to try toplace the ball past James. But he hesitated fatally and the goalkeeper made a point-blank save.

Saints again went close when a Thomas mistake put Wright in trouble andthe loose ball was picked up by Bowen whose shot flew just over in the70th minute.

Liverpool's defence was error-strewn and lacking leadership, giving the home side every encouragement of snatching victory.

But in the end they needed another wonderful save from Jones to protect their priceless point in the 84th minute, the goalkeeper arching backwards to hook the ball over from underneath his bar after Fowler's shot looped up off a defender's boot.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Benali, Richardson, Monkou, Lundekvam, Le Tissier (Bowen (Williams, 73), 42), Oakley, Evans, Davies, Neilson.

Subs not used: Maddison, Johansen, Taylor.

Booked: Benali, Le Tissier.

Liverpool: James, McAteer, Bjornebye, Kvarme, Wright, Matteo, McManaman, Ince, Riedle (Berger, 69), Owen (Fowler, 60), Thomas.

Subs not used: Babb, Carragher, Warner.

Goals : Riedle (37), Davies (48). 

Booked: Kvarme.

Attendance: 15,252.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).

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