Stoke 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool's miserable week continued at Stoke as Robert Huth snatched a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

A tame encounter at the Britannia Stadium saw the Reds offer a lacklustre response to their midweek cup exit to Reading, and Sotirios Kyrgiakos' opener never really looked like being enough to settle their nerves. 

Benitez set out with defence at the forefront of his mind, while Stoke's starting XI was littered with combative talent. 

That did little to help the entertainment value, with the first half void of attacking endeavour. 

Lucas felt he was deserving of a penalty after tumbling under a challenge from Danny Higginbotham, but all he got for his troubles was a yellow card as both sides struggled to create openings in the final third. 

The second period also started in cagey fashion. 

Liverpool, though, edged ahead after 57 minutes when Thomas Sorensen failed to deal with a Fabio Aurelio free-kick from the right and Kyrgiakos bundled the ball into the back of the net from close range. 

It would not be enough, as Danny Higginbotham towered above the Reds' defence to nod a floated corner back across goal in the last minute of normal time and Huth was hand to poke home. 

Dirk Kuyt should have won the game for the visitors with virtually the last touch of the game, but he somehow hit the woodwork when presented with a free header six yards out.

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