Stoke 1-1 Reds

Defender Robert Huth's last minute tap-in from close-range rescued a point for Stoke as Liverpool's woes continued.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos had given Liverpool the lead, bundling home from close-range, after Thomas Sorensen's fumble.

Earlier much-changed Liverpool had been denied a penalty after Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham brought down Lucas.

A late Stoke corner was headed across goal by Higginbotham for Huth to tap home, then Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt headed against the post in a frantic finale.

Understandably after their FA Cup exit at the hands of Reading on Wednesday Liverpool started nervously.

And with an unfamiliar line-up Liverpool struggled to get into the game with Stoke starting brightly.

Twice keeper Pepe Reina was called into action by Rory Delap's long throws and having just about dealt with the first the Spaniard fumbled the second with the ball stabbed wide from close range.

But Liverpool started to warm into the game and Lucas saw his goalbound shot bravely blocked by Abdoulaye Faye.

Liverpool were further boosted with Delap and Faye going off injured and the substitutions seemed to disrupt the hosts.

But while Sorensen was not called into action once by an unimaginative Liverpool attack in the opening 45 minutes the visitors were denied a penalty midway the through the half.

Lucas played a neat one two with Philipp Degen but as he latched onto the return pass he was brought down by Higginbotham.

The Brazilian was booked for diving by referee Lee Mason, with replays showing it was the wrong decision, much to the annoyance of manager Rafael Benitez.

But just before the hour mark Liverpool took the lead.

Higginbotham was wrongly adjudged to have fouled Degen on the right, and from the resulting free-kick Sorensen fumbled Aurelio's inswinging cross onto Kyrgiakos and over the line.

Moments later Tuncay headed wide at the back post for Stoke while substitute Ricardo Fuller headed Matthew Etherington's inswinging corner straight at Reina.

With 12 minutes left Liverpool introduced new signing Maxi Rodriguez but it was Stoke who finished strongly.

Late pressure from Stoke resulted in a last-minute corner which Higginbotham headed back across goal for the unmarked Huth to tap home at full stretch.

And deep into injury time Liverpool could have snatched a dramatic winner but forward Kuyt headed Aurelio's cross against the post from close range.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.