Liverpool against Stoke City

Suarez is down holding his ankle. Looks like Huth trod on his foot. Don't think it was intentional.

Crouch wins a free kick, Pennant delivers but Skrtel heads clear.

Walters does very well to come away with the ball and find Crouch who has space but the big man wastes possession.

Wilkinson charges in solidly on Downing. Stoke still fighting.

Kelly is still struggling from the tackle. A good honest 50/50.

Excellent tackle from Shawcross as Kelly bundled into the area. Well timed and important.

Good flick on from Walters and Jerome gets in front of Keelly but is wide and can't turn a shot on target as the defender gets back to block.

Still Liverpool doing most of the pressing and Spearing fires a shot wide of the target from 25 yards. Worth a pop.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A yellow for Shawcross for tugging at Suarez.

Walers mugged Skrtel and got round the back but his cross was in between Jerome and Crouch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Final Stoke change: Delap for Whitehead.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cameron Jerome is coming on for Etherington, who never really shook off that early knock.

Good clearing header from Carroll as Whitehead's cross lurched towards Crouch.

Stoke try a clever free kick but Spearing reads it and clears. Bad idea.

Walters wins a free kick off Gerrard and Stoke have a free kick in shooting range.

Good effort from Suarez from range, a little wobbler from 25 yards that Sorensen does well to watch and save.

Sorensen is a relieved man - his throw gives the ball away and Kelly steals it but Huth cuts out the cross.

Decent effort from Kuyt but right at Sorensen. The keeper catches easily.

Enrique's had a good game but Carroll can't collect his pass on the edge of the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Maxi off for Kuyt and Pennant is on for Shotton.

That will force Stoke to come out again and have a go at Liverpool. When they've done that they have looked dangerous.

Only Downing's second goal for the club.

It's actually an errant touch from Gerrard that set this up, he miscontrolled the ball but it fell beautfully for Downing who stepped past Shotton and fired it back across Sorensen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Downing scores!

Shotton is having a really poor game. He won't last the distance I'm sure.

Another scrappy start to the half it has to be said.

What a chance for Suarez - he got ahead of his man but glances wide. He should have scored.

Now Wilkinson trips Maxi and gives away a free kick. Bit theatrical.

Good work from Enrique as he takes on Shotton and wins a throw in.

He crosses now and that one is claimed by Reina. His delivery needs work.

Shotton's long throw ins have been very disappointing. Not a patch on Delap.

Interesting to see if Stoke try and slow things down and go for the replay. Liverpool will have to come out at them you feel.

An early shot from Gerrard - Sorensen saves low at his near post.

We're off again...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/petercrouchgoal20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Peter Crouch equalises

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/luissuarezceleb20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Suarez celebrates his opener

<b>HALF TIME</b> It looked like the ball has dropped for Suarez there as Huth misjudged the flight but the defender got back before the Uruguayan could strike it. And that is half time.

Enrique's cross is poor and Sorensen grabs at the near post.

Suarez lays off to Gerrard but he goes for placement and knocks it over the bar.

Suarez wins a free kick as Shawcross is holding him. Right on the edge of the box.

Downing crosses but Shawcross nods clear at the near post before Sorensen claims Suarez's chip.

Gerrard boots it long for Carroll but Huth and Shawcross screen him well.

Now Suarez trips Shawcross and Stoke have a free kick. Again, that face.

Suarez pulls that incredulous face he so loves and no wonder because he won a corner off Shawcross but the assistant gave a goal kick.

Not quite the distance on his that Delap gets and Kelly nods clear at the near post.

Etherington tries to work the ball into the box and now Shotton will launch this throw in there.

Nice move from Liverpool with Carroll involved, then Maxi before Downing volleys over on the stretch.

Oh dear, what a waste. A great pass from Whitehead puts Walters in and from 12 yards out at an angle, he's missed the target. Awful effort.

Carroll's acrobatic volley doesn't come off.

So, the game took a while to warm up but it off and running now.

Controversial. The corner was wrongly awarded, no doubt about it, but I don't think Reina deserved a free kick. Shotton just stood his ground.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Reina is booked for arguing he should have had a free kick for Shotton standing in front of him.

It should never have been a corner after Shawcross' flick but from it, Shotton stands in front of Reina and Crouch nods in from four yards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Crouch equalises.

Now a flick on at the near post from Shawcross puts Liverpool in tourble but Huth can't turn it home at the far post.

Stoke respond with an excellent cross from Wilkinson, Walters can't meet it before Crouch flails at it. Corner.

First bit of quality in the game so far. A lovely, passed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

A fine, fine goal as Suarez swaps passes with Maxi and plants his shot low past Sorensen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Suarez! Brilliant!

Another poor cross sails over Carroll's head.

Shotton has no support so he tries his luck but squirts the ball wide. Little quality on show so far.

Too many fouls breaking up the game at the minute.

Promising move for Stoke twice stilted a little by Whitehead who had more space than he realised.

Stoke doing little in the early stages to shuffle off that 'dirty' tag.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Whelan is late on Spearing and that is a nailed on yellow card.

More pressing from Liverpool as Downing tries to crioss into the box. Liverpool need to get Suarez involved more.

There is Crouch at the back post, nodding tamely into Reina's arms.

Very little purchase up front for Stoke yet, from either Walters or the returning Crouch.

The sun is shining right in Reina's eyes. He hasn't gone for the cap option. Might be a mistake.

Carroll making his presence felt for jumping into Wilson. This game could be won and lost in the air judging by the start of it.

Now Shotton clatters into Gerrard. Messy start.

Whelan's free kick is poor and cleared easily. Etherington is back on.

Etherington is still down and in some discomfort. It was a poor, late tackle as they raced down the line.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kelly is late on Etherington and can have no complaints with a yellow.

Enrique's cross is a bit too deep for Downing to grab as Liverpool make the early running.

Bit of a rush over from the Chelsea comm so apologies for no team news. Let's get right into it.

<b>KICK OFF</b>

Good effort from Suarez from range, a little wobbler from 25 yards that Sorensen does well to watch and save.

Sorensen is a relieved man - his throw gives the ball away and Kelly steals it but Huth cuts out the cross.

Decent effort from Kuyt but right at Sorensen. The keeper catches easily.

Enrique's had a good game but Carroll can't collect his pass on the edge of the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Maxi off for Kuyt and Pennant is on for Shotton.

That will force Stoke to come out again and have a go at Liverpool. When they've done that they have looked dangerous.

Only Downing's second goal for the club.

It's actually an errant touch from Gerrard that set this up, he miscontrolled the ball but it fell beautfully for Downing who stepped past Shotton and fired it back across Sorensen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Downing scores!

Shotton is having a really poor game. He won't last the distance I'm sure.

Another scrappy start to the half it has to be said.

What a chance for Suarez - he got ahead of his man but glances wide. He should have scored.

Now Wilkinson trips Maxi and gives away a free kick. Bit theatrical.

Good work from Enrique as he takes on Shotton and wins a throw in.

He crosses now and that one is claimed by Reina. His delivery needs work.

Shotton's long throw ins have been very disappointing. Not a patch on Delap.

Interesting to see if Stoke try and slow things down and go for the replay. Liverpool will have to come out at them you feel.

An early shot from Gerrard - Sorensen saves low at his near post.

We're off again...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/petercrouchgoal20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Peter Crouch equalises

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0318/luissuarezceleb20120318_275x155.jpg"><br> Suarez celebrates his opener

<b>HALF TIME</b> It looked like the ball has dropped for Suarez there as Huth misjudged the flight but the defender got back before the Uruguayan could strike it. And that is half time.

Enrique's cross is poor and Sorensen grabs at the near post.

Suarez lays off to Gerrard but he goes for placement and knocks it over the bar.

Suarez wins a free kick as Shawcross is holding him. Right on the edge of the box.

Downing crosses but Shawcross nods clear at the near post before Sorensen claims Suarez's chip.

Gerrard boots it long for Carroll but Huth and Shawcross screen him well.

Now Suarez trips Shawcross and Stoke have a free kick. Again, that face.

Suarez pulls that incredulous face he so loves and no wonder because he won a corner off Shawcross but the assistant gave a goal kick.

Not quite the distance on his that Delap gets and Kelly nods clear at the near post.

Etherington tries to work the ball into the box and now Shotton will launch this throw in there.

Nice move from Liverpool with Carroll involved, then Maxi before Downing volleys over on the stretch.

Oh dear, what a waste. A great pass from Whitehead puts Walters in and from 12 yards out at an angle, he's missed the target. Awful effort.

Carroll's acrobatic volley doesn't come off.

So, the game took a while to warm up but it off and running now.

Controversial. The corner was wrongly awarded, no doubt about it, but I don't think Reina deserved a free kick. Shotton just stood his ground.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Reina is booked for arguing he should have had a free kick for Shotton standing in front of him.

It should never have been a corner after Shawcross' flick but from it, Shotton stands in front of Reina and Crouch nods in from four yards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Crouch equalises.

Now a flick on at the near post from Shawcross puts Liverpool in tourble but Huth can't turn it home at the far post.

Stoke respond with an excellent cross from Wilkinson, Walters can't meet it before Crouch flails at it. Corner.

First bit of quality in the game so far. A lovely, passed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

A fine, fine goal as Suarez swaps passes with Maxi and plants his shot low past Sorensen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Suarez! Brilliant!

Another poor cross sails over Carroll's head.

Shotton has no support so he tries his luck but squirts the ball wide. Little quality on show so far.

Too many fouls breaking up the game at the minute.

Promising move for Stoke twice stilted a little by Whitehead who had more space than he realised.

Stoke doing little in the early stages to shuffle off that 'dirty' tag.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Whelan is late on Spearing and that is a nailed on yellow card.

More pressing from Liverpool as Downing tries to crioss into the box. Liverpool need to get Suarez involved more.

There is Crouch at the back post, nodding tamely into Reina's arms.

Very little purchase up front for Stoke yet, from either Walters or the returning Crouch.

The sun is shining right in Reina's eyes. He hasn't gone for the cap option. Might be a mistake.

Carroll making his presence felt for jumping into Wilson. This game could be won and lost in the air judging by the start of it.

Now Shotton clatters into Gerrard. Messy start.

Whelan's free kick is poor and cleared easily. Etherington is back on.

Etherington is still down and in some discomfort. It was a poor, late tackle as they raced down the line.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kelly is late on Etherington and can have no complaints with a yellow.

Enrique's cross is a bit too deep for Downing to grab as Liverpool make the early running.

Bit of a rush over from the Chelsea comm so apologies for no team news. Let's get right into it.

<b>KICK OFF</b>