Goals from Luis Suarez and a reply from Peter Crouch leaves Liverpool tied 1-1 with Stoke City at the interval of their FA Cup encounter on Sunday.
Liverpool so nearly took the lead after just two minutes when Steven Gerrard found Maxi Rodriguez, but his header just missed the right side of the goal.
Stoke's first chance of the match fell to former Liverpool striker Crouch after 12 minutes, but his effort was pushed away by Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.
Stoke continued to enjoy spells of possession in the opening period, and Ryan Shotton came close with an effort after 21 minutes before Maxi again came close for the home side.
Liverpool took the lead after 23 minutes, however, courtesy of Suarez who found the top corner after good work from the lively Maxi.
Stoke were back in moments later, however, as Crouch headed a Matthew Etherington corner into the back of the net to level the scores at 1-1.
Jonathan Walters came close for Stoke late in the half, before Andy Carroll struck high and wide with the half remaining level at 1-1.
Matt Law
