Liverpool were frustrated by a typically physical Stoke side after being held to a goalless draw at Anfield, a result which keeps both teams in the bottom half of the table.
The guests kept the home side busy having the best of the early exchanges in an eventful afternoon. Former Red midfielder Charlie Adam pulled a solid save out of Pepe Reina after Nuri Sahin had been caught napping.
The Reds keeper was nearly caught out on a couple of occasions, once by a dipping effort from Michael Kightly, the Spaniard back-pedalling to tip the ball over the bar, and a couple of times when he mistimed back-passes trying too hard to stick to Brendan Rodgers' interplay, one-two, touch-and-go system.
But after that early threat, Rodgers' side looked the most likely team to break the deadlock. Asmir Begovic turned away LFC skipper Steven Gerrard's long-range effort before the Stoke keeper was beaten by Daniel Agger but lucky to see then Dane's effort bounce just wide.
Glen Johnson twice went close, whilst Luis Suarez stole the show once again with his antiques. The Uruguayan bamboozled the Stoke defence with a mazy run before sending his shot wide.
The 25-year old also appeared to be stamped on by Robert Huth earlier on in the game, the German lucky to stay on the pitch, before he himself committed an embarrassing dive in the box, which he also escaped from uncautioned. He, Martin Skrtel and Raheem Sterling were all denied by the woodwork as a typically dogged Stoke side held on for a valuable point.
Tony Pulis may slam Suarez for his drama performance and Rodgers may bemoan the missed chances and the officials' prejudice against his renowned forward, but both manager cannot deny the facts and problems they have to work on and improve on: Stoke's discipline and Liverpool's goal conversion rate (+ Suarez' balance).
Liverpool are still looking for their first league home win and bot hearing YNWA at full time, but seeing streams of fans pouring out the exits sound- and motionless gave me goosebumps.
Anfield is not the glorious fortress it used to be, yes, we know. But it is far from getting back to that, unless something (or someone) changes. QUICKLY!!!
Liverpool 0-0 Stoke
Liverpool: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 47 Wisdom; 24 Allen, 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling, 4 Sahin (11 Assaidi - 79.), 30 Suso (10 Cole - 67.); 7 Suarez. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 14 Henderson, 16 Coates, 23 Carragher, 29 Borini.
Stoke: 1 Begovic; 12 Wilson, 4 Huth (bkd 33.), 17 Showcross (bkd 79.), 2 Cameron; 16 Adam (bkd 73.) (13 Edu - 81.), 6 Whelab (18 Whitehead - 20., bkd 90.), 15 Nzonzi; 21 Kightly (25.) (26 Etherington - 63.), 19 Walters (bkd 77.); 25 Crouch. 4-3-2-1
Subs not used: 29 Sorensen, 9 Jones, 20 Upson, 33 Jerome.
Sky Stats: Liverpool-Stoke
Attempts: 13-5
On target: 2-2
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 5-5
Free kicks: 18-9
1st half Possession: 60.3%-39.7%
2nd half Possession: 68.3%-31.7%
Possession: 63.5%-36.5%
Passes: 524-288
Passing Success: 81.1%-66%
Tackles: 13-25
Tackling Success: 92.3%-68%
Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the Match: Ryan Shawcross
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