Defiant Stoke City stopped unbeaten Liverpool in their tracks at Anfield with a magnificent rearguard action to earn a 0-0 draw.

Steven Gerrard thought he had netted his 100th Liverpool goal after two minutes. Gerrard's curling free-kick from the left was missed by everyone and sailed on into the net. But the goal was disallowed, seemingly for offside.

Stoke's Dave Kitson then hit a 20-yard strike just over, while Thomas Sorensen saved Robbie Keane's effort and Gerrard's 20-yard free-kick.

Sorensen punched away another Alonso long-range shot and Torres had a shot charged down.

Early in the second half Keane's stabbed effort was well saved by Sorensen, and Torres headed wide and then over.

A Gerrard run and Yossi Benayoun pass ended with Torres spinning to lash yet another effort into the Kop as Stoke hung on to claim a point.