Liverpool dominated possession, created enough chances to win the match two or three times over and had an early Steven Gerrard free-kick goal wrongly ruled out for offside. It was not a terrible performance, yet at home to a team of such limited resources it bodes poorly for a club that has long suffered psychological traumas when it comes to the pursuit of the English title.
Stoke were simply honest and straightforward, the epitome of a side built around bullish bodies, the underdog's principle of massed-ranks defending and the hopeful long ball. Their fittingly relentless support left Anfield ecstatic. 'My, my Delilah,' indeed.
Benítez understandably chose to blame referee Andre Marriner. 'We've seen the replays and it's a key decision,' he said. 'Unbelievable. With the position of the referee how can you disallow this goal if he's not the linesman? A massive mistake. In these kind of the games you need to score the first goal and everything changes.'
The Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, preferred to relish the moment. 'I've not seen on it on the telly,' he said. 'I'm just delighted that I've come to Anfield and I've got a point and I've got a decision.'
The afternoon had begun so differently. Forget the worries about the unbuilt stadium, the cash-strapped American owners, and a too narrow midfield, Liverpool were in winning form, Manchester United usurped the week before.
Gerrard entered the match in pursuit of his 100th club goal; one he appeared to have claimed in the third minute. It came from one of those free-kicks that dance across the faces of strikers, defenders and goalkeeper, not quite hitting anyone before catching the far corner of the net. Arm thrust skywards, Gerrard claimed the finish as if intended, only for Marriner to raise his own limb to disallow it. Had Gerrard inadvertently converted an indirect free-kick? Ibrahima Sonko's preceding foul on Fernando Torres was clear cut. Had Torres' attempt to head it over goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen or Dirk Kuyt's to connect at the back post been offside? The cameras told otherwise.
Marriner later said that he had given the decision for offside. Benítez was not interested in hearing: 'I do not need an explanation. He cannot explain anything - it is impossible to explain.'
Scoreline still 0-0, Stoke held true to their uncomplicated ways. Big-boned and solidly 4-4-2, they funnelled back into their own half and battered into Liverpool's attackers. Gerrard and Xabi Alonso regularly attempted conversions. Torres cannoned shots into defenders and twisted headers past posts. Robbie Keane went close with a couple of volleys; Sorensen was equal to everything that found the target.
As time slipped away, Stoke continued to chase home attackers down, throwing bodies in the way as and when required. Leon Cort deflected a Torres strike over with his face. Gerrard attempted a reprise of his first-half free-kick only for it to fall a foot adrift of goal. Andy Griffin headed a Gerrard centre out from under his bar as Liverpool futilely pursued another last-gasp winner. 'Just like watching Brazil,' chanted Stoke. Possibly, but not that nation's football team.