Stoke City took points off Liverpool by holding Rafael Benitez's side to a goalless draw in their Premiership game at Anfield on Saturday.

It was a shock result for the home side as the team that beat defending Champions Manchester United last weekend, failed to get the better off the new entrants, who started this game second at the bottom of the table.

Liverpool looked totally incharge of the match but failed to convert on the numerous goal scoring opportunities they had.

The Reds went into the game looking to collect full points so that they could strengthen their chances of claiming their first Premier League title.

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

Skipper Steven 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 probably in an offside position, but the decision to rule out the goal 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.

In the second half, Liverpool went into the offensive right from the start where former Tottenham Hotspur ace Keane almost broke his duck after excellent play from the Reds however his first touch was thwarted by Sorensen.

Spanish international Fernando Torres, who was hardly seen throughout the match came close to putting the Reds ahead after he rose high in the air to meet Arbeloa’s cross, but his header missed the target narrowly.

Liverpool looked desperate to take the lead and were all over the visitors citadel with Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso all trying their luck at the goal. It was some fine goalkeeping by keeper Sorensen that kept the Reds efforts at bay.