Jones 90 + 1

Liverpool’s mini-revival came shuddering to a halt when they were out-fought and out-played by struggling Stoke, who notched their second home win in four days to climb away from the EPL’s relegation zone.

Manager Roy Hodgson’s men barely contributed to the first half and Stoke should have led at the break.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina saved well from Dean Whitehead and Kenwyne Jones was allowed a free header from Jermaine Pennant’s resultant left-wing corner.

The Trinidad and Tobago international striker headed wide. But Stoke’s 56^th-minute opener was Caribbean-born, Jamaica’s Ricardo Fuller poking the ball home after Liverpool’s defence failed to clear up a goalmouth scramble.

The visitors finally threatened the goal in the 63^rd minute when Dirk Kuyt found room down the right and crossed from the by-line for Maxi Rodriguez to fire a right-foot shot at Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.

But that was the extent of their attacking threat and Stoke made the game safe a minute into stoppage time when Jones latched onto former Liverpool man Pennant’s sliderule pass, shook off his marker, Martin Skrtel, and placed his right-foot shot past Reina’s left-hand.

Moments later, Liverpool’s misery was completed by Lucas Leiva’s dismissal for a second bookable offence.