The late goal curse which did for Liverpool’s Champions League campaign struck in the EPL when they threw two points away at Stoke thanks to another 90^th minute concession.

Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos had stabbed Liverpool into a 57^th minute lead from very close range after Stoke keeper Thomas Sorenson had failed to deal with a Fabio Aurelio free-kick.

But Stoke centre-back Robert Huth stabbed Stoke’s equaliser after Danny Higginbotham had headed a corner into his path.

Yet Liverpool should still have won in the last of five minutes stoppage time, only for Dirk Kuyt to head Aurelio’s terrific left-wing cross against a post from eight yards.

The stirring finish came after a dire, scrappy opening 80 minutes, with the first half completely devoid of goalmouth opportunities.

Stoke made their traditional long-throw-laden start. But when chief ball hurler Rory Delap went off injured midway through the half, Stoke lost all attacking invention.

Liverpool should have a penalty on 24 minutes when Lucas was brought down by Danny Higginbotham, only for the Brazilian midfielder to be booked for diving by referee Lee Mason.

Mason was part of the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s goal when he awarded a free-kick against Stoke after his assistant flagged when Higginbotham appeared to tackle Philipp Degen cleanly.

Aurelio’s free-kick was patted weakly away by Sorensen and Kyrgiakos was on hand to force the ball home.

The introduction of Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke renewed impetus and they forced a series of corners late on.

One led to the equaliser in the 90^th minute when Higginbotham headed a far post kick back across the face of goal for the unmarked Huth to guide over the line as the Liverpool defence appealed in vain for offside.

Five minutes into stoppage time, however, Kuyt could have won the game and relieved the ever-increasing pressure on boss Rafa Benitez. He didn’t.