Liverpool and Stoke City are currently locked in a goalless draw at half time at Anfield on Saturday after Steven Gerrard free-kick goal was disallowed.

The Reds, all out to collect full points from this encounter so as to strengthen their chances of claiming their first Premier League title, came into this game after victory over defending champions Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez's side buoyed by their 2-1 victory against United last weekend, started off the match brightly holding major possession of the match.

Skipper Gerrard saw his free-kick in the very first minute of the match being blocked by Mamady Sidibe.

A minute later, Gerrard almost fired in his 100th goal, however the goal disallowed after his freekick curled right into the rival nets only to see Dirk Kuyt being pulled up for being in an offside position, but the linesman's decision looked debatable.

Seeing the pressure that the Anfield side were putting Stoke too started to raise their level of the game where Dave Kitson saw his powerful shot from the edge of the box just fly over the horizontal bar.

Liverpool’s new signing Robbie Keane who is yet to score for his new club was given an opportunity to open his account after being neatly set up by Kuyt however he fumbled on reaching the danger zone and shot into the waiting hands of keeper Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke failed to create any much scoring chances however they did well in restricting the Reds goal scoring opportunities creating a lot of frustration amongst Rafael Benitez’s players.

However as the match progressed the home side got more and more vicious in their attacks spearheaded by the hardworking Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool team: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena, Kuyt,Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane, Torres.

Stoke team: Sorensen, Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Sonko, Higginbotham,Lawrence, Olofinjana, Diao, Delap, Kitson, Sidibe.