Pulis proud of battling Potters

Apart from two Dirk Kuyt headers late in the second half the home side struggled to create chances, but World Cup final official Howard Webb was called on to make some difficult calls with substitute Andy Carroll going to the floor on more than one occasion in tussles in the penalty area

The South Yorkshire referee is by no means a favourite at Anfield and, although the Kop were unhappy with his decision-making, Pulis was not, and said of the penalty appeals: "I think it was more out of desperation."

He added: "They are a fantastic crowd here and they could see we were digging in and the players needed some help and by cheering the way they cheered every time ball went in there helped.

"Several referees might have buckled but thankfully Howard is strong and experienced enough to have not."

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish would not be drawn on Webb's performance.

"It is difficult to understand when he talks to the players and explains something to them and then they commit the same crime immediately after it," he said. "I think we have stopped trying to work out the logic of referees nowadays."

Dalglish was more concerned with the lack of chances created which contributed to a seventh draw in 11 home matches this season and led to them losing ground on fourth-placed Chelsea.

"They (Stoke) came to go away with a point and they got a point," added Dalglish.

"The responsibility was on us to be more imaginative and to break them down and we didn't manage to do it. The couple of opportunities we got we didn't take and in a game like that you have to take them."

Source: PA

Source: PA