Last season at this venue they clawed out a 0-0 draw that eventually saw them into the UEFA Cup Final.
This time Liverpool were organised, determined and unlucky not to be in the lead at the break.
Although they still have not managed a win in Group B, a victory over Roma at Anfield next week will earn them a place in the last eight.
Former Barcelona ace Jari Litmanen was plunged into Liverpool's starting line-up on a big night for the Reds in Spain.
The Anfield side, in their 200th match in European club competition, were without cup tied Nicolas Anelka and injured Michael Owen.
So the Finn has been given the opportunity to show he is worthy of more than the bit-part role he often has to settle for in domestic competition.
Gerrard was back in midfield after his groin injury as Liverpool try to improve on the goalless draw they managed here last season in the UEFA Cup.
A victory is pretty much imperative if the Reds' European adventure is to continue this season.
Rivaldo starts for Barcelona - the Brazilian needed a pain killing injection but will play in his withdrawn role behind Javier Saviola and Patrick Kluivert.
Liverpool had a glorious chance to take an early lead after Litmanen had been fouled by Thiago Motta in the fourth minute.
When John Arne Riise's free-kick curled into the box it cleared everyone and was met by an unmarked Gerrard racing in but the midfielder completely mis-hit his shot with the goal at his mercy.
The last time Liverpool were in this massive bowl of a stadium they defended for their lives and rarely threatened in attack. This time they were being more adventurous.
A 10th-minute move down the right produced another opening. Danny Murphy fed Gerrard, whose instant ball into the box was met by the stretched leg of Emile Heskey, who almost surprised Roberto Bonano with a stabbed shot that the keeper needed to react swiftly to.
Murphy found himself in the book after 12 minutes, as he and Francesco Coco both raced for a loose ball, and the Liverpool man arrived a fraction to late and sent the Italian flying.
Gerrard, Murphy and Riise were hounding Barca right across midfield, and Gerrard's interception of a poor Carles Puyol throw gave Litmanen the chance to try his luck from 30 yards but the ball sailed wide.
On 20 minutes Jamie Carragher sent in a cross from the left which Heskey just failed to reach in the six yard box, before Barca managed their first shot seconds later when Saviola fired over.
Liverpool had another great chance after 21 minutes when Murphy's free-kick from the left was met by Gerrard, who glanced a header agonisingly wide.
Gerrard became Liverpool's second booking on 25 minutes when he chased Rivaldo from half way and brought him down just outside the box to incur Greek referee Kyros Vassaras' wrath.
Dietmar Hamann was next into the firing line for Liverpool, blasting over from 20 yards after a poorly-cleared Riise corner fell to him on 27 minutes.
Barca had been kept at arm's length despite having plenty of possession but the danger they have was evident when Rivaldo's clever pass sprung Kluivert into the clear, but the Dutchman failed to control the ball properly and allowed Jerzy Dudek to collect.
The Catalans opened up Liverpool again on 34 minutes when Carragher fell as he tried to dispossess Saviola and the little Argentinian crossed low into the six-yard box where skipper Luis Enrique completely missed the ball as it fizzed invitingly in front of a gaping goal.
Hamann was next into the book for a high lunge that sent Puyol spinning to the ground on 39 minutes.
Kluivert had a header held by Dudek and then Saviola's angled shot from the left was deflected just wide by Stephane Henchoz.
HT: Barcelona 0 Liverpool 0
Barca looked sharper and more mobile in the second period, and Rivaldo had an early chance with a free header 12 yards out from Coco's left wing cross.
Liverpool hit back when after a long spell of controlled passing, with Hamann shooting inches over the bar from 20 yards.
The visitors were conceding possession too often at the start of the second half, and there were loud appeals for a penalty when Saviola and Carragher clashed going for a Rivaldo pass which Dudek collected.
Heskey was put away by Riise on 55 minutes, getting behind Philippe Christanval, but as the big striker surged into the box, his attempt to chip Bonano was blocked by the keeper.
Rivaldo, with a terrific shot with barely any backlift, had Dudek plunging across his goal and the Polish keeper had to get down quickly to block and hold a long-range effort from Puyol.
Rivaldo then saw a curling free-kick blocked, with the ball falling to Coco, whose fierce drive was bravely blocked by Heskey.
The pressure was really being turned up now and Christanval hit the post with a header before Rivaldo got to the lose ball before anyone else, spun and saw Dudek block the shot.
On 69 minutes Vladimir Smicer came on for Litmanen before seconds later Saviola neatly nutmegged Carragher in the box before firing wide.
On 78 minutes Nicky Barmby took over from Gerrard, who by now was looking weary and seemed to be limping slightly.
Barcelona took off Saviola, to the annoyance of the home crowd, and replaced him with Geovanni with three minutes left.
Phillip Cocu was booked with a minute of normal time left for a foul on Smicer.