Ex Liverpool goalie Tony Warner was in sparkling form to give Fulham all three points.
Liverpool suffered yet another European hangover as they slumped to a 2 – 0 defeat to a resolute Fulham side on Saturday. Despite
playing well on Wednesday against Anderlecht in the Champions League the Reds couldnt carry over their European form into the Premiership.
On an emotional day at Craven Cottage, as Fulham paid their respects to Johnny Haynes, Liverpool failed yet again where they
have failed many times in the Premiership this season – in scoring. It’s since April that the Reds last won away from home
in the Premiership and if the team dont find their goalscoring boots soon enough it’ll be until next April before they win
their next.
The first half was a non-event with only a hatful of half-chances between the two teams – and one full chance which Fulham
gladly took. Fulham had the best opportunity early on when Ahmad Elrich missed from all but 6 yards.
It wasnt until the 33rd minute when the game really opened up. A sloppy deflection off Sissoko from Claus Jensen’s pass found
Collins John with a golden opportunity. And he took it with style to take Fulham into the lead.
Liverpool huffed and puffed in the second half, with chances falling mostly to Cisse – who had another good game. Harry Kewell
also had a great chance when he tried to lob Mark Crossley but only to see his chance just skim the top of the goal.
It wasnt until Tony Warner came on for the injured Crossley did Liverpool find more rythmn in their game. And it was him who
would ultimately win the points for Fulham.
Liverpool sub Garcia made some mazy runs, and had a few shots on goal only for Warner to produce some spectacular saves. Even defender
Sami Hyypia got in on the action and with a great right footed volley destined to go in there was Warner again to produce
a goal-line save.
It wasnt until the 90th minute that Liverpool collapsed. A failed offside call left Boa Morte with the chance to ram home
a well taken goal past the exposed Benitez.
Liverpool find themselves, after all the weekend games were complete, in lowly 13th position. 6 points ahead of the bottom
team Everton and a mammoth 18 points ahead of table toppers Chelsea.
8 games in for the European Champions. 8 games where they havent been totally out played but 8 games where the inability to score
goals has hampered them dearly.
West Ham up next at Anfield on Saturday, and Benitez will know if that if we dont beat Alan Pardew’s men, any chance of finishing
in the top 6 let alone the top 4 will be fading fast.
Player Ratings
Reina 6/10
Josemi 4/10
Carragher 6/10
Hyppia 6/10
Traore 6/10
Sissoko 7/10
Alonso 6/10
Risse 6/10
Kewell 5/10
Cisse 8/10
Morientes 6/10
Garcia 6/10
Crouch 5/10
Manager Rating
Liverpool boss Benitez threw caution to the wind with virtually 4 strikers on the pitch at one point so he was prepared to go for broke.