Liverpool loses 3-1 at Stoke in Premier League

(AP Photo/PA, Barrington Coombs)

STOKE, England (AP) Liverpool slumped to its sixth loss of the Premier League season on Wednesday, with a 3-1 collapse at Stoke stalling another attempt to close in on the Champions League places.

Liverpool won a penalty after just 30 seconds when Luis Suarez was fouled by Ryan Shawcross, and Steven Gerrard converted from the spot.

But Stoke responded in the fifth minute when Jonathan Walters scored the first of two goals either side of Kenwyne Jones' header for the hosts.

Stoke rose above Liverpool into eighth place at the season's halfway point.

Liverpool had won two of its last three games before traveling to Stoke, but is now in 10th place, eight points behind the last of the four Champions League places.

Updated December 26, 2012