Liverpool 0-0 Fulham: Champions League hopes fade as Reds held at Anfield

Rafael Benitez’s decision to not use Fernando Torres proved decisive, as his  Liverpool side were unable to break down a resilient Fulham side at Anfield. 

The result of this match, which could well prove to be a dress rehearsal for this season’s Europa League final, left Liverpool severely adrift in the race for fourth place after dropping more points.

Despite Roy Hodgson threatening to make wholesale changes to his side before the match, the Fulham boss only made two changes to the side which yet again acquitted itself so well in the Europa League win at Wolfsburg on Thursday. Zoltan Gera, who has been in lively form in recent weeks, and Simon Davies made way for Erik Nevland and Jonathan Greening, whilst Hodgson was able to call on Bobby Zamora despite worries over an Achilles injury. After recent controversy over Fulham’s weakened selection at Hull, all eyes were on the Fulham teamsheet before the match, but it was Rafa Benitez who made the more significant changes of the two managers.  Star man Fernando Torres was not even in the squad with David Ngog starting up front in the Spaniard’s place, whilst Alberto Aquilani, Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez replaced Lucas, Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun.

Liverpool paid tribute to the 96 victims of Hillsbrough 21 years on with a minute’s silence before kickoff, and it was the home side that started the brighter of the two teams. After just three minutes, Daniel Agger headed a cross at the back post back across the goal and after a small goalmouth scramble, Bobby Zamora and Aaron Hughes combined to clear the ball.  The Reds came closer not long after on six minutes, when Steven Gerrard’s raking cross field ball from the left flank was met by David Ngog.  Gerrard’s ball was well measured but the young French forward was unable to guide his stretching volley on target from 12 yards.

Danny Murphy, looking somewhat overawed on returning to his former club, was thankful for further wayward finishing from Ngog on 11 minutes.  The Fulham midfielder was dispossessed by the ever industrious Javier Mascherano, who then teed up David Ngog, but his shot from 20 yards could only be described as wayward at best.

On 16 minutes, Jonathan Greening will have counted himself unlucky to receive a booking for a slightly careless but largely innocuous challenge on Glen Johnson, but having gone into referee Mariner’s book the former West Brom man was fortunate to stay on the pitch when on 34 minutes he cynically checked Johnson.  Mariner decided to only give Greening a final warning after arguably the more severe of the two offences committed by the former Manchester United trainee, much to the ire of Rafa Benitez whose reaction on the touchline was incredulous.

Alberto Aquilani, who has been something of a bit part player since arriving for £20 million from Roma, started the match in a bright manner and was making some fantastic runs from deep positions.  On 22 minutes it was the Italian midfielder’s acrobatic overhead effort which drew a save from Schwarzer.  Despite his eye-catching technique, Aquilani’s effort was straight at the Australian goalkeeper and drew a routine stop.  The Fulham goalkeeper was called into further action just after the half hour mark when he was required to palm away Javier Mascherano’s 25 yard half volley.  The Argentine’s effort dipped and swerved but could not beat Schwarzer, who was showing no signs of the jittery performance he put in at home to Wigan last weekend.  A matter of seconds later Schwarzer had more work to do.  Fulham, again looking vulnerable to balls over the top, allowed Maxi Rodriguez to nip in between the two centre back and draw the save.

Fulham had never won at Anfield in 28 attempts and didn’t look like ending that run at any time in the first half.  Bobby Zamora, in such fine form this season, cut a marginalised and isolated figure up front for the Cottagers with precious little support from his midfield.  Calls for the former Brighton man to be included in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad have intensified after his career best haul of 19 goals in all competitions this season, and smart work from the Fulham striker saw him nip the ball past Jamie Carragher on 25 minutes and draw a deliberate handball.  Andre Mariner had no option but to book the former England centre-back.

As half time drew closer Fulham did begin to get more possession of the ball and advance into the Liverpool half, but as Andre Mariner brought a halt to first half proceedings Liverpool will have felt some disappointment that they had not converted their dominance of the match into any goals.

Rafa Benitez’s charges started the second half in the way they had conducted much of the first.  On 49 minutes Alberto Aquilani attempted a curling shot from the edge of Fulham’s penalty area but his shot was far too central to be able to beat Mark Schwarzer who was able to tip the ball over for a corner.  The resulting set piece eventually worked its way back to the former Roma midfielder whose rasping drive from 25 yards was well struck but always fading away from goal.  Whilst Liverpool enjoyed a significant advantage in terms of possession and territory in the first 15 minutes of the second half, that the Reds were limited largely to shots from outside the area is testament to how well organised Roy Hodgson has made this plucky Fulham team.  Liverpool again came close though on 61 minutes when Ryan Babel’s bursting run from the left flank and drilled right footed effort forced an excellent save from Mark Schwarzer at his near post.  The talented Dutch winger thought he had done enough to score from inside the area, but Schwarzer’s sharp reflexes ensured he pushed the ball onto the post.

Rafa Benitez made his first change of the day on 63 minutes when Alberto Aquilani was replaced by Dirk Kuyt.  The Italian left the field to a warm ovation after a decent performance and on this showing he may go some way towards justifying his hefty transfer fee if deployed frequently next season.  With one former Roma player making his way off the pitch, a current Roma player was preparing to make his entry at Anfield.  Stefano Okaka, currently on loan with the Cottagers from the Italian club and scorer of the equaliser against Wigan last week, came on for Bobby Zamora after 67 minutes.

No go | Ngog can’t find a way through the Fulham defence

David Ngog was picked out by Steven Gerrard on 69 minutes and had the opportunity to open the scoring having been left unattended by the Fulham defence.  The young French striker could not, however, emulate Fernando Torres’ imperious aerial ability and his header came closer to finding the corner flag than the back of the net.  On 71 minutes a late challenge from Danny Murphy saw the former Anfield favourite booked and shortly afterwards Ryan Babel, who had come closest to opening the scoring was substituted for Yossi Benayoun.  Murphy’s booking was also to prove his last involvement in the match as he was replaced by Kagisho Dikgacoi to a fine reception from Liverpool’s supporters.

An uncharacteristic lapse in concentration by Fulham from a short corner after 75 minutes allowed Kuyt to cross from close range at the near post.  The Dutchman’s delivery was delightfully weighted but Sotiris Kyrgiakos somehow contrived to head over from just six yards out.  David Ngog’s torrid afternoon was cut short on 79 minutes as he was replaced by Daniel Pacheco.  Ngog has more ability than some of his detractors give him credit for, but he will need to produce far better performances than this to be considered a genuine and viable alternative to Fernando Torres. 

Despite Liverpool’s desperate need for three points, Fulham maintained their organised discipline going into the last few minutes of the match and even managed some forays into Liverpool territory as the home fans began to stream out in disappointment.  The Cottagers' impressive rearguard ensured that despite the Reds’ dominance of possession and superior number of shots, they were able to return to London after a busy week with a hard earned point.

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