Premier League - Liverpool frustrated by dogged Stoke

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Liverpool were held to a surprise goalless draw by Stoke in a Premier League game short on at entertainment at Anfield.
  














Optimism was high on Merseyside following last weekend's victory over champions Manchester United, but Liverpool fans were brought back down to earth with a bang after witnessing a dire 90 minutes of football.
Despite dominating possession from start to finish, Liverpool ultimately lacked the nous to break down a resolute Potters defence - something that will be of concern to Rafa Benitez, who surely knows his team must figure out ways to beat the likes of Stoke if they are become real championship contenders.
Even though they added nothing at all to the game as a spectacle - save the odd moment of excitement when Rory Delap was given the opportunity to sling in a long throw - Stoke deserved credit for emerging with a point.
Tony Pulis's side came to Anfield without any delusions of grandeur and they set out to do little more than frustrate Liverpool - a goal they achieved with a no-frills, hard-working and rugged defensive display.
Stoke's lack of ambition going forward was matched only by Liverpool's inability to finish at the other end, although the hosts could count themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead soon after kick-off.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, searching for his 100th goal, had the ball in the back of the net as early as the second minute, but his effort direct from a free-kick was chalked off.
The offence could only have been for offside, although no other player got a touch on the England midfielder's curling effort which nestled inside the far post, and no other player appeared to interfere with play.
It proved a decisive moment and Liverpool went on to struggle in front of goal all afternoon long.
Meanwhile Stoke looked to profit from their early good fortune and Dave Kitson fired a long-range shot over Jose Reina's cross bar moments later. It proved to be the visitors' only noteworthy effort for the entire match as they sat back and allowed Liverpool to come on to them.
With possession so easily won - and retained - by Liverpool, the game quickly became a chance for Liverpool to get in some shooting practice. And judging by the hosts' numerous wayward efforts throughout, they certainly needed it.
Time after time Liverpool were allowed to pour forward but every time they did, the Stoke back line - which lost Ibrahima Sonko to injury early on - held firm.
Pretty it was not, but in terms of effectiveness Pulis's tactics worked and the longer the game wore on, the more frustrated the hosts became.
Only a first-time Xabi Alonso strike from a quickly-taken corner just before the half-hour mark really tested Thomas Sorensen in the Stoke goal during the opening period.
The second half started in the same vein - Liverpool on the attack and Stoke defending resolutely.
Summer signing Robbie Keane again failed to get himself on the scoresheet - the Irishman's best chance came soon after the restart, but Sorensen was equal to his first-time strike.
But Keane was not the only guilty party - Fernando Torres endured a rare off-day, Kuyt squandered two chances in quick succession on 66 minutes, and even Gerrard - despite a two late efforts on goal - could not deliver the heroics the Anfield crowd have become accustomed to.