Liverpool 0 - 0 Fulham

Ed Colenutt, November 22nd 2008

Liverpool remain level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League after the Reds were held to a goalless draw at Anfield.

In the absence of Steven Gerrard Rafa Benitez opted for a more defensively minded pairing of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva, a decision that appeared to backfire as the home side struggled to create chances from midfield.

Not that the Reds took their opportunities when they did arise. Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt were both guilty of missing golden opportunities to open the scoring.

At the other end Fulham tested Pepe Reina on a couple of occasions, Andy Johnson and Jimmy Bullard both going close for the visitors.

Liverpool, and in particular Fernando Torres, started to look a bit livelier towards the end of the half, but Fulham could definitely feel the happier of the two sides going into the break.

There were no changes at halftime, but it appeared a different Liverpool had turned up for the second half. Within minutes of the restart Torres had twice fired off shots at Mark Schwarzer's goal, and it appeared normal service had been resumed.

Kuyt looked certain to win the game for Liverpool on 70 minutes with a close range effort from Albert Riera's cross, but Schwarzer pulled off an excellent instinct save.

The Fulham defence were standing firm in the face of everything the Reds threw at them, and as the game went on frustrations grew, Liverpool and Ryan Babel in particular guilty of perhaps trying too hard to make something happen and giving away possession cheaply.

A goalless draw seemed inevitable, and the result was confirmed as the ref blew up to end a drab affair at Anfield, one which fans will be keen to forget.

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