Liverpool were forced to settle for a draw with almost the last kick of the game away to the Potters. Kyrgiakos had given the Reds the lead in the Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium on 57 minutes, but a goal from defender Huth in the 90th minute earned Stoke a share of the spoils.

Rafa Benitez was without the injured trio of Fernando Torres, Steve Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun for the weekend trip to Stoke. The god news for Liverpool for the trip to the Potteries was the return of Mascherano after a four-match ban.

The early Saturday kick-off got off to a slow start as both teams lacked any real attacking conviction. The ball was played mainly in the middle of the park with neither side finding a way through the opponent’s defence.

Liverpool had a good shout for a penalty turned down after Lucas Leiva was brought down in the Stoke area by Danny Higginbotham. The Stoke player's late challenge looked like a certain penalty offence, but the referee instead booked the Brazilian midfielder for diving.

The home side were seeing very little of the ball, but for all of Liverpool’s possession, they failed test Sorensen in the Stoke goal.

The game came to life after the break with the visitors drawing first blood. Thomas Sorensen failed to catch a Fabio Aurelio free-kick, with the rebound falling kindly to Sotirios Kyrgiakos who poked the ball over the line.

Although Stoke were now trailing, they failed to cause Liverpool any real problems at the back. The Reds were looking comfortable as the Potters launched long ball after long ball into the Merseysiders half.

New signing Maxi Rodriguez came on with just over 10 minutes remaining for his Liverpool debut as Rafa Benitez' side looked to defend their lead.

With all three points looking like winging their way back to Anfield, a Matty Etherington corner found its way to Huth who pushed the ball into the back of the net for an unlikely equaliser.


- Match Stats: Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool

Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye (Wilkinson, 26), Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap (Lawrence, 25), Whitehead, Diao, Etherington, Sidibe (Fuller, 66), Sanli

Booked: Diao

Goals: Huth 90

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Degen (Maxi, 78), Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio, Kuyt, Ngog (Aquilani, 87)

Booked: Reina, Lucas

Goals: Kyrgiakos 57