FT: Stoke 0 Liverpool 0

93 That's it, Liverpool have failed to achieve the victory that would have kept the pressure on the chasing pack. The initiative now lies with Manchester United, who'll move ahead of Liverpool should they win their three games in hand. The Liverpool fans who e-mailed during the match seem unanimous in where the blame lies: Rafa Benitez's decision to play a 5-man midfield with Kuyt as a lone striker has backfired.

92 Mascherano tries to theread the ball through the Stoke defence to no avail. The Potters are content to thump the ball upfield whenever they can.

90 Liverpool pour forward as they go in search of the winner. Torres flicks the ball on for Gerrard who hits the woodwork for the second time after stretching to his limit in order to get a touch on the ball.

89 Babel shoots/crosses from distance and wins a corner as the ball takes a deflection. Gerrard delivers but sends it too high.

88 Danny Pugh comes on in place of Kitson as Ben Serpa from the USA writes: "It is aggravating as a fan in the States to see Benitez muddle around with the formation and the squad. Babel is one of Liverpool's best and should start every game. Torres comes back from injury and is left out of the starting rotation. Keane, who needs as many games as possible to get into form, is riding the pine. We have quality players, why are they playing, Mr. Benitez? Stop worrying about Fergie. Play your game. Stop with this lone striker bull and keep to the 4-4-2. Attack, attack, attack! Stop being such a defensive tactician and attack allout like Chelsea and Man Utd do!"

87 Torres and Faye are engaged in a rigorous battle in the final third. Thus far the Stoke man has come out on top.

86 Peter Jackson is our first Stoke fan to write in: "I am a Stoke fan and i think Torrres will score but in the last minutes of the game Etherington will create and opportunity for Faye or Kitson to score and get Stoke a worthy 1 point. Liverpools tactics have gone horribly wrong and cost them 2 points but Stokes tactics are going perfectly. I think this draw will regain Pulis' trust from that awful 2-0 loss to Hartlepool."

85 Torres blocks Faye's clearance on the right, earning Stoke a throw-in that they take their sweet time in arranging.

83 Gerrard takes a free-kick from the left and hits the crossbar. Sorensen was expecting a cross there and was caught off his line.

82 Lawrence's first real involvement in the game is to send a cross from the right directly out of play.

81 Lucas tries for the chip over the top from inside his own half but misjudges the pass completely and sends it straight into the hands of Sorensen.

80 Hyypia puts plenty of pressure on Reina with a weak backpass but the Spanish keeper shows good footwork to avoid Kitson before clearing the danger.

79 Delap rounds Carragher on the left and fires a cross into the area but Reina gets there first and makes a clean catch.

78 Whelan sends a curling free-kick inches wide of goal. I don't think Reina would have gotten to that one.

77 Liam Lawrence comes on in place of Matthew Etherington.

76 Lucas smashes into Kitson from behind and is booked for his efforts.

75 Mark Philpott dangles the following bait: "I'm a United fan and would just like to say that if Liverpool drop points today, I think it has shown that Fergie has really gotten under Rafa's skin.

He annoyed him so much that Rafa did some research instead of thinking of tactics and training his team. I know that Fergie complains a lot, but as the most successful British manager of his generation,I don't really care!"

74 Kitson drags Skrtel to the ground in a choke-hold in the corner but gets away with it as the referee's view of the incident was blocked.

72 Delap troubles the Liverpool defence with yet another deep throw. This time Kitson heads the ball narrowly over the crossbar from five yards out.

72 George from Chester also doubts Benitez: "Rafa's judgement seems to be clouded when it comes to Kuyt and Benayoun. Riera is always a threat and yes we need torres on the pitch but benayoun and kuyt, benayoun especially, are not going to influence a game as much as riera. It often seems that benitez brings on the right player but takes the wrong one off."

71 There's a lull in play as Shawcross first receives some treatment, then limps off the pitch.

70 Sorensen sends a goal-kick up the field but Skrtel sends it straight back.

69 Sam Parker feels the same as Aliya: "Why has Rafa gone for the 5 man midfield and kuyt up front on his own when he is no good even where he is up there with torres or keane. Where is xabi alonso he is twice the player Lucas and Mascherano are i just don't what goes though rafa's head sometimes."

68 Aliya Maskeen is also doubting Rafa's tactics: "Am a Liverpool fan but i think Liverpool are gonna b held to a draw once again, Benitez should have started with the likes of Keane, Torres & Babel not leave them on the bench. Am praying Liverpool do score but the way things are going it doesnt look too good!!"

67 Lucas is unmarked on the far post but fails to direct his header anywhere near the goal. It finds Torres on the left post but he thumps the ball straight into the air from a tight angle.

66 Etherington is penalised for a late tackle on Gerrard.

64 Carragher wins a battle against Cresswell inside the Liverpool penalty area and ends up sending a great clearance as far as Gerrard in the centre circle.

63 Gerrard tries to thread the ball into the penalty area and receives a yellow card for his efforts as the ball hits the referee. Quite a strange decision that.

61 Colin Priest has taken umbrage with Ian the Everton fan: "To Ian the jealous everton fan. All teams have decisions go for and against them even Everton, I think benitez's point was that fergie is allways moaning about how things (pfa and ref's) are plotting against poor old man u and Mr.Fergie. Fergie has moaned about the treatment they get for years. Mind games it is, not with just the liverpool and chelsea but with ref's and the PFA all round really. He knows what he's doing!!! But this seaon I think he has bitten off me than he can chew. " Fighting words there Colin.

60 delap's long throw is headed behind for a corner by Hyypia. The ball bobs about inside the penalty area before Gerrard steps in and clears it upfield.

59 Albert Riera makes way for fernando Torres as Benitez belatedly accepts that he may need a striker on the pitch.

59 Reina misses a corner delivery completely then dramatically goes to ground before Stoke can capitalise.

58 Tanveer Riaz believes it's time for some subs: "Rafa needs to change the system and bring on the likes of Keane / Torres who are match winners. Dont know what Lucas is doing as he is not the player which suits liverpool team. Come on Rafa and bring on those subs QUICKLY before we get humbled by stoke TWICE in the same season."

57 Riera runs the breadth of the field without making much headway and eventually loses control of the ball, allowing it to be chipped back to Sorensen.

56 Oli Jones isn't happy with Benitez: "Completely bewildered with Benitez's starting XL once again...So far this season there has been little to complain about, and it seems that if there is, it tends to get over-looked due to the amazing run of form the team has enjoyed. But maybe this game will represent a loss in recent luck? Expect much more attacking football in the second half."

55 gerrard takes a suspicious tumble on the edge of the Stoke penalty area but the referee isn't interested and replays vindicate his decision.

54 Gerrard plays the ball out wide to Aurelio who completely wastes a good crossing chance by hitting the ball straight at a defender.

53 Adam Esposito writes in to say: "I can't believe we drew to Stoke at home in the first place. I believe Rafa will make the correct changes and we'll win comfortably 2-0. We always seem to make it harder for ourselves in the first place."

52 Stoke keep the pressure up on Liverpool and only a fine interception by Carragher denies Kitson a shooting chance.

49 Reina makes an incredible hash of a clearance as he passes it straight to Kitson on the edge of the penalty area. Hyypia is alert enough to pressure Kitson out wide and force him to shoot into the side netting.

48 Faye is penalised as he hauls Gerrard to the ground by his arm. Liverpool win a free-kick in a promising area and follow it up with a corner.

47 Good news for Liverpool fans who doubt Kuyt's ability as a lone frontman as Fernando Torres starts warming up on the touchline.

46 The players are back on the pitch for the second half.

Everton fan Ian has no belief in either Rafa Benitez or the use of full stops: "i hope stoke can beat the crying benitez, what a joke he is, who is he to spout about favorable treatment, who gets penaltys at anfield, how many of his players get sent off, how many dodgey penaltys does he get, how many dives has gerrard got away with, i remember a tackle by kuyt on phill neville last season, didnt even get a talking too, and he had the cheek to send 2 everton players off, and what about the 2 penaltys everton never got in the same game, liverpool have always had preferential treatment, benitez should open his blinkered eyes."

At least Tom Minter still has faith: "hi, i thouroughly believe Torres will come on and make a huge difference, due to his presence, the final score will be 2-0 with Gerrard and Torres bagging the goals."

More disbelief from the Pool faithful, this time from Mustafa Ozalcin: "Having seen the line up I knew we wouldn't get a win from this game.. Still 45 mins to go but Rafa has tinkered and that is going to be our downfall (as usual!!!!)..."

The pre-match optimism from the Liverpool fans has turned somewhat sour. "Gerrard looks bored and fed up and who can blame him with two clowns Lucas and Mascerano in midfield. Mascerano doesnt go forwrad. Lucas cant pass and does nothing and has to be brought off. Benayoun is slow and weak. Liverpool seem to be negative and need to push more forward get on Keane and Babel for lucas and benayoun. PLAY HOW YOU WANT BUT BE MORE ATTACKING. Fergie must be laughing to himself. Benitez needs a result. Please post some of this. Many thanks, Ben Hunter from Swindon"

Christopher Bartlett has the following, very valid, question: "Is Gerrard playing? You haven't mentioned him once!" That's because he's been absolutely anonymous Christopher. I don't recall him doing anything of note so far.

Betting on the game to end in a draw seems a very enticing prospect and Sky Bet have excellent odds on a 1-1 stalemate at 15/2. You can also get 11/1 odds on a 2-1 win for Liverpool so why not visit www.skybet.com now?

46 The half comes to an end. It's been a bit of a lacklustre affair to be honest and I'm certainly hoping for more excitement during the second half. Send e-mails to justin.zehmke@teamtalkmedia.co.za

45 Lucas dallies on the ball a moment too long and is absolutely smashed by Cresswell, who shoulders him off his feet at full speed. The Liverpool midfielder stays down as the ref waves play on.

44 Some sloppy play from both sides sees the ball go out for Liverpool throw in line with their penalty area.

42 Benayoun and Kuyt link up down the left flank and exchange a couple of close range passes but eventuall run out of space, allowing Amdy Faye to steal the ball.

41 Lucas fouls Cresswell inside the Liverpool half and Stoke get another chance to get the ball into the Liverpool penalty area. They're rewarded with a corner.

39 Delap's long throw-in is headed out for a corner by Skrtel. In the wake of the delivery an opportunity almost opens up for Etherington but Carragher manages to clear the danger.

38 Tony Pulis is not a happy man as his side give away possession cheaply by looking for the long pass from the back only to gift Liverpool a goal-kick.

36 Riera slides a low cross across the face of goal but there's no Liverpool player there to meet it.

35 Riera goes on a great run from his own half, slaloming his way past three Stoke players before completely misdirecting his pass to Benayoun.

34 Rafael Benitez is feverishly conveying instructions to Sammy Lee at the side of the pitch as he sees his side's iron grip on this game start flagging.

32 Stoke win another throw-in in a promising position. This time the referee adjudges that Hyypia was fouled as the players jostle for position.

31 Another long throw from Delap forces a sharp catch from Reina as Liverpool find themselves defending seriously for the first time in this match.

29 Stoke have the ball in the back of the net as Liverpool fail to deal with a direct ball but the linesman has his flag raised for offside against Shawcross.

28 Delap seems to be carrying a shoulder injury as his throw-ins have lacked their usual distance. Yet another attempt goes straight to the first defender who is Carragher in this instance.

27 Reina sends a goal-kick upfield but ends up giving Stoke possession. The Potters have clawed their way back into this and look dangerous at times.

26 Skrtel makes a hash of a routine clearance but Stoke fail to take advantage.

25 Etherington delivers a free-kick from the left and Reina is forced to punch it clear under immense pressure.

24 Javier Mascherano makes a great sliding tackle on Etherington to bring a rare Stoke attack to an end.

23 Yossi Benayoun turns two defenders on the edge of the area before having his shot blocked by Whelan.

22 Kuyt forces a good save from Sorensen despite shooting from a very tight angle.

21 Danny Higginbotham manages a good clearance under pressure from Kuyt.

20 Stoke go on the counter but Sami Hyypia manages to push Delap wide with two Potters players witing in the middle and the cross goes straight to Reina.

18 The Potters players are incensed as they claim Carragher passed the ball back to Reina but the ref sees nothing wrong.

17 Liverpool build patiently from the back as Stoke take up a very deep position.

16 Cresswell flicks the ball forward for Dave Kitson to chase but Reina reads the play well and comes off his line to avert danger.

14 Kuyt lays the ball out wide for Riera who tries to trick his way past Andy Wilkinson but ends up flat on his backside as the Stoke defender lopes upfield with the ball.

13 Matthew Etherington takes on Carragher down the left and manages to get a cross in but Reina gets there first and catches the ball cleanly.

12 Delap takes another long throw. This one is unceremoniously thumped upfield by Martin Skrtel.

11 The statistics indicate that Liverpool have had an incredible 78% of the ball as Rory Delap sends a trademark throw into the area. The result is utter chaos and Delap manages to hit the crossbar from five yards out as he follows up.

10 Liverpool are playing with only Kuyt up front and he seems to drift ever deeper in an attempt to get the ball, leaving them very thin up front.

8 Riera sends in a perfect cross from the left and Kuyt glances a free header across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.

7 Albert Riera crosses into the box from the left but Steven Gerrard overruns the ball and Stoke manage a nervy clearance.

6 Stoke have hardly seen the ball so far, with Liverpool comfortably dominating possession.

5 Liverpool are camped in the Stoke half with Jamie Carragher out wide on the right. He attempts a cross into the middle but fails to clear the first defender.

4 Stoke win a free-kick in a promising position. Whelan steps up and hoists the ball over the wall and high over the goal, failing to trouble Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.

3 Glenn Whelan knocks the ball back to Thomas Sorenson as Liverpool continue to push forward.

2 Liverpool enjoy early possession and Lucas Leiva looks to send the ball over the top to Dirk Kuyt but fails to pick him out.

1 And we're underway at a freezing Britannia Stadium. Stoke will certainly fancy their chances today, having come away from Anfield with a draw earlier in the season. Liverpool fans will be nervous that the rarefied air at the top of the Premier League will cause their side to stumble.

Paul in Berlin, Germany is bucking the trend and backs Stoke to win: "Stoke have had a bad run of luck of late but they are still a tough team to beat at home and have everything to prove after last weekend's howler. They have been anything but consistent in the Premier League but write them off at your own peril. They have been beaten by minnows and toppled giants. So predicting how this game will go is about as easy as predicting a coin toss. My prediction would be a 1-0 Stoke win. The Stoke fans always seem to give the home side that extra momentum."

The following example of realism comes to us from Declan in Seattle: "Seems like some of your readers think this is a local Sunday league :) There are very few 3 & 4-0 victories in the Prem. Especially playing away. Liverpool should win comfortably, but Stoke are professionals. If Raffa and the Reds get up 1-0 or 2-0 they'll tighten things up and reserve energy. They are intelligent players. Its a long season and 3 points away from home doesn't need to be a rout. When you beat a team too badly at home they tackle harder and higher :) I predict a 1 or 2-0 victory for Liverpool."

Are there any Stoke fans out there? The following two messages are from Liverpool supporters as well: "Hopefully Liverpool stretch their lead at the top today, Skrtel is back and we have big names on the bench that we can bring on to make an impact, hopefully Torres comes on and scores, i have a sneaky feeling Carragher might even nick one!!! from Linda, Ireland."

"I just hope that Liverpool scores early. That way, the game would be more open and Liverpool will have better chances to extend their lead. Good to see Martin Skrtel back. He needs games to get back to his best, especially with important games coming up with Everton & Real Madrid. My prediction for this game, 0-3, Liverpool victory. A blank sheet for Pepe Reina. from Mazli, Liverpool fan. All the way from Singapore."

Hans Kroman tempers optimism with the spectre of looming disapointment: "I think Liverpool will secure a late win with goals from Gerrard and Torres. One other thing, as good as it is to see Skrtel back in the starting line-up, it is very worrying that Agger is not even on the bench. It might be a hint, that Agger is leaving Liverpool and that will be a devastating loss:-("

Finally a dissenting voice as Paul from Liverpool claims: "I can see an upset today. Stoke 1-0 and Rafa to be sent to the stands." You wouldn't happen to be an Everton fan Paul?

The next e-mail is all way from India by Krishnan: "Another Liverpool fan who still hopes That the EPL Title will be finally ours!! A rather Well Deserved 0-3 or a 0-4 Win for Liverpool with Torres sure to get his name on the score sheet along with Babel.Gerrard & Benayoun to get the other 2. A Well Deserved win because Stoke have Etherington & the Long Throw Specialist Rory Delap. Still Expecting Reina to maintain a Clean Sheat :)"

Michael Plumridge has the following to add:"Liverpool should win this easy, I predict Liverpool to win 3-0. Gerrard to score two goals and Kuyt the other."

Paul Phillips, a Liverpool fan from Warrington writes in to say: " I fancy a four nil win for Liverpool today with goals coming from Gerrard 2, Benayoun and Torres, coming from the bench. It is important Liverpool utilise Torres, Keane and Babel early on in the second half to be sure of a win. Etherington is a useful addition to the Stoke squad and will give Stoke some much needed width and penetration."

Sky Bet are offering 8/1 odds on Stoke snatching an unlikely win with the draw at 10/3 and a daunting 2/5 on Liverpool to claim all three points. Fernando Torres, newly returned from injury, is 3/1 to score either first or last while a Steven Gerrard hat-trick comes in at a tempting 33/1. Go to www.skybet.com for all the odds.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap, Amdy Faye, Diao, Etherington, Cresswell, Kitson Subs: Simonsen, Griffin, Olofinjana, Whelan, Lawrence, Tonge, Sonko

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Leiva Lucas, Mascherano, Riera, Gerrard, Kuyt Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Keane, Torres, Babel, Plessis, El Zhar

Liverpool have the chance to temporarily increase their lead at the top of the Premier League table should they manage to beat Stoke today. A win will see them ratchet up the pressure on both Manchester United and Chelsea, who meet tomorrow at Old Trafford. E-mail your thoughts on the game, predictions and comments to justin.zehmke@teamtalkmedia.co.za

Live updates will appear here from 1730 GMT.