The Premiership's newfound reputation for boring football looked entirely justified as the European champions and the English champions both failed to find their best form and struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Chelsea never looked likely to gain revenge for their controversial semi-final defeat last season as the hosts dominated possession, but poor passing and a typically hard-working defensive effort from the Blues stifled Liverpool's attempts to win the game.
Both managers made alterations to their teams, with Rafael Benitez bringing Steve Finnan, Djimi Traore, Luis Garcia and Djibril Cisse into his starting line-up following the Reds' disappointing 2-2 draw at Birmingham.
Jose Mourinho's only change saw Didier Drogba recalled in place of Hernan Crespo, while Arjen Robben shook off a dead-leg to start.
Scoring opportunities were few and far between as the sides weighed each other up in the opening 45 minutes, seemingly having forgotten they had already faced each other four times in 2005.
Liverpool enjoyed the greater share of possession but lacked the cutting edge to break down the Blues' famously miserly defence.
They should, however, have had the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Drogba brought down Sami Hyypia as he attempted to profit from a Peter Crouch knockdown.
Italian referee Massimo De Santis ignored the hosts' claims and waved play on.
Chelsea finally managed to create something from the midfield battle in the 32nd minute, as Robben surged past Hyypia and unleashed a powerful shot that Jose Reina did well to keep out.
The Reds started the second half strongly, but despite controlling possession again failed to create clear-cut chances.
The hosts saw another penalty appeal turned down ten minutes after the break when Jamie Carragher's header struck William Gallas on the arm. This time it was the right decision as the contact was unavoidable.
A succession of corners and free-kicks in the visitors' half did Liverpool little good as poor deliveries meant they carried no threat and while they were well below their best, Chelsea rarely looked in any trouble.
In the closing stages Reds substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle created some rare danger for the visitors as he surged down the right and squared the ball.
Paulo Ferreira attempted to clear but miscued and the ball fell to Xabi Alonso. However, Petr Cech easily fielded the Spaniard's tame shot.
The effort summed up the lacklustre nature of the game and while the result satisfied both teams, the paying spectators are unlikely to have gone home happy.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for those fans is that they face the prospect of watching the two teams face off again on Sunday.