Stoke City boss Tony Pulis was delighted with their 0-0 draw at Liverpool.

Apart from two Dirk Kuyt headers late in the second half the home side struggled to create chances.

"I think it was more out of desperation," he said of Liverpool's penalty appeals.

"Apart from Kuyt's effort - which he should have scored - I'm not saying Thomas Sorensen made save after save.

"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."

After their victory over Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium in September the result represented another success for Stoke.

"We are pleased with the effort and commitment of the players," said Pulis.

"They worked hard and that is four points off Liverpool and two clean sheets in the league and that is a great achievement."