Liverpool failed to take advantage of several bad results for Chelsea and widen the gap between the two sides at the top of the table after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City on Saturday.

The result was a great one for Stoke City, who had failed to garner any points from their last six league games. But Reds manager Rafa Benitez who watched from the stands must have been stupefied with the result especially as he had ranted at Man United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson the previous day.

The game saw Liverpool dominate for large periods of time, but they ere unable to break the deadlock. Albert Riera sent in a fine cross in the 8th minute only for Dirk Kuyt to fire his header wide. Stoke had a great chance in the 13th minute when Rory Delap found himself in the clear off a Amdy Faye ball only to blast his shot against the crossbar. Richard Cresswell connected with the rebound, but his shot lacked direction.

In the 22nd minute Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen saved Kuyt's fine effort. On 31 minutes, a cross from Matthew Etherington was slotted home by Ryan Shawcross only for his effort to be ruled offside. Yossi Benayoun had a great chance from a Reira cross in the 31st minute, but the ball got away from him before he could take aim.

After the break, Dave Kitson managed to latch onto the ball after an error from Reds keeper Reina, but his effort from an acute angle hit the side netting. In the 68th minute, Lucas had a chance to test Sorensen, but his header went wide.

Glenn Whelan's 25-yard free-kick beat Reina in the 78th minute, but the shot was off-target. In the 85th minute Gerrard's free-kick rattled the bar, but Liverpool had to be satisfied with one point after they failed to beat Sorensen.