The Stoke fans believe their side has done enough now to take a point and are already celebrating a superb result for them.

Aurelio loops a long ball forward and Torres rises well to flick on for Gerrard who pokes brliiantly past Sorenson but this time he is denied by the outside of the post.

There are going to be three minutes of added time.

Is there a dramatic late goal to come here? Liverpool will certainly want one to extend their lead at the top but Stoke are possibly more deserving.

So close! Gerrard bends the free-kick towards the far post but its too long but ends up dipping stright onto the the cross bar and away. Did he mean it? He certainly would have claimed it had it gone in.

Liverpool are continuing to struggle to create and they seem to have missed the passing of Xabi Alonso tonight because Lucas has had a very poor evening, particularly with his distribution.

Stoke are going for it! They don't seem happy to try and hold out for a point because they want all three. But will that backfire?

Whelan takes the free-kick and it bends all of an inch past the far angle of post and bar with Reina beaten all ends up. So close for the Potters!

Not this time! Delap launches another throw into the six-yard box and Kitson has lost his man to get a free header but he flicks it onto the roof of the net. What a chance!

Liverpool are beginning to deal with Delap's missiles now as Reina stays at home and allows his defenders to deal with the flying ball.

A bit of a worry for Stoke here as Ryan Shawcross has stayed down after a superb challenge on Fernando Torres - but it might just be a spot of cramp.

Stoke now make a meal of clearing a free-kick and it is looped back towards Lucas, unmarked at the far post, but he elects to head across goal rather than for goal and Hyypia has no chance of reaching it.

Liverpool are struggling to find a real foothold in the game but with Gerrard and Torres in attack now they probably only need one moment of magic to open Stoke up.

It has to be said that Stoke are not under any great pressure and Thomas Sorenson has definitely been the least troubled ofthe two goalkeepers - but Torres and Keane are going through a vigorous warm-up routine now.

Superb defending from Carragher! Another Delap throw is badly defended and Griffin Wilkinson loops a hopeful one into the box but Shawcross is rising to head into the net until Carragher leaps to flick away from him.

Stoke are doing a really good job of hassling the Liverpool players tonight and again they force a mistake deep in their opponents territory.

Unbelievable! Reina makes a complete hash of a simple clearance as he plays it straight to Kitson who collects the ball and rounds the keeper but from a tight angle he can't find the target.

Lucas is down after a hefty shoulder charge from Cresswell but it was something of nothing really and the Brazilian is eventually back to his feet.

There is going to be one minute of added time.

This half has not been the best of Liverpool's season so far and they might go into the break delighted to be on level terms.

Albert Riera has been Liverpool's most potent threat tonight and he delivers a fabulous ball towards the six-yard box but no-one is in the box to capitalise.

The home side are the ones applying the pressure at the moment as Liverpool struggle to regain their earlier dominance - Delap's throws are starting to become a weapon again.

Stoke have it in the net! But it won't count! More nervous moments at the back for Liverpool with Reina creating problems for himself and eventually the ball is driven in but Shawcross is offside as he heads home.

Fabio Aurelio is having a torrid time of it as for the third time he is out paced and out thought by Delap on the Stoke right but Hyypia rescues the Brazlian.

More woeful defending from Stoke as Benayoun sends four of them the wrong way with a simple Cruyff turn on the edge of the box but luckily for the Potters Wilkinson comes across from the other side to block.

Appalling defending from Stoke allows Dirk Kuyt to advance in the box unchallenged but his angle is a bit tight and Sorenson gets his body in the way of the shot.

Stoke are starting to find their feet as they begin to really pressure Liverpool all over the pitch and the Merseysiders are yet to really create anything.

Despite all their possession Liverpool do look a little uncomfortable at the back with Skrtel and Aurelio returning from long absences.

After a brief period of Stoke pressure, Liverpool have regained control with Mascherano and Lucas seeing an unbelievable amount of the ball.

What a chance! Delap's long throw is only half cleared and eventually the Irishman finds himself with the ball in the box and with Reina down he has a glorious opening but he fires against the underside of the bar.

The game is beginning to take shape with Liverpool establishing a major possession and territorial advantage as they begin to dictate the tempo.

First chance! Liverpool work the ball well out to the left for Riera who delivers a dangerous cross to the near post where Kuyt rises but he can ponly glance it wide of the far post.

Its a frantic start to the game with both sides looking to play with a high tempo and for that reason it has been low on quality in the opening moments.

...but it's tame, looping and all around a pretty poor effort and Reina can wave it over the bar.

Stoke have an early chance as Hyypia bundles through the back of Kitson and Glenn Whelan is stood over it...