Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham

Liverpool clung on for a gritty victory against Fulham as they moved up to seventh in the Premier League.
The Reds went ahead on 52 minutes when a Fernando Torres strike was deflected against the post and John Pantsil sliced a clearance into his own net.
Fulham belatedly came out of their shell and had a Brede Hangeland header cleared off the goal-line.
And a point-blank save late on by Reds keeper Pepe Reina from Moussa Dembele helped secure victory for Liverpool.
The home side may have had to endure a nervous finish as Fulham produced their late rally but the Reds maintain the impetus, although maybe not the improvement in play, that manager
It was the Scot's second win in five games and will have Reds fans looking up the Premier League table towards the European spots rather than over their shoulders at the relegation zone.
Fulham, who had looked comfortable for the most part, do not have that luxury as they lie four points from the bottom three after a game in which both teams struggled to find their passing game or rhythm.
Dalglish masterminded a 10-0 win over Fulham in 1986 in his first spell in charge as Liverpool manager and he almost got the perfect start as he renewed rivalries with the London club.
Raul Meireles slid a weighted ball through for Torres to control and slot past Cottagers' keeper David Stockdale, only for the assistant referee to rule the goal offside in a questionable decision.
Stockdale might have been beaten on that occasion but the 25-year-old, who had not been on the losing side in his previous eight first-team outings for Fulham this season, excelled as he played a big part in keeping his side level at Anfield.
The threatening Reds right-back Stephen Kelly drove in a cross and a steered header from Meireles seemed destined for the bottom corner before the Fulham stopper palmed the ball wide at full stretch.
Stockdale also saved a 20-yard Steven Gerrard strike before he excellently tipped a well-struck Glen Johnson effort, after the defender had cut in from the left, over the bar.
The visitors had grown into their task of nullifying Liverpool and almost benefited when two chances came their way in quick succession.
Fulham forward Clint Dempsey intercepted a Kelly pass and had a left-foot drive parried by Reina before the ball was cleared.
Almost immediately, former Everton forward Andrew Johnson pulled a ball back from the by-line for the unmarked Dembele, who could only shoot straight at Reina from close range as a glorious chance went begging.
The defences appeared to have the upper hand as both teams lacked urgency, but the home side eventually broke the deadlock in scrappy style.
A Torres shot was deflected on to the post by centre-back Hangeland and, in the ensuing melee, Pantsil sliced an attempted clearance into his own net.
Dempsey had a volley from a Pantsil cross saved by Reina and ex-Reds midfielder Danny Murphy sent a free-kick wide for the visitors but Fulham struggled to break down the Liverpool defence.
The visitors threw centre-back Hangeland forward and the move almost paid off when he met a corner with a firm header which beat Reina, only to be cleared off the goal-line by Meireles.
The Cottagers again went close when Dempsey nodded down a Murphy free-kick for Dembele, whose snapshot was again saved by Reina as the Reds dug in to secure victory and extend Fulham's run to 30 games without a win at Anfield.

Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

Our hopes of qualifying for Champions League next season seems gone. We really missed Torres absence. Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took another huge blow as they failed to break down resolute Fulham despite dominating possession.
Alberto Aquilani fashioned Liverpool's best chances but found Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer in inspired form.
The Australian thwarted Aquilani's early overhead kick and palmed away the Italian's curling 20-yard effort.
And Schwarzer was again equal to Ryan Babel's fierce strike as Fulham defended deep and frustrated Liverpool.
This game could have been a dress rehearsal for the Europa League final in Hamburg - if Liverpool and Fulham are able to overcome their respective semi-final opponents.
But if that is the case, the neutral will hope for a far less one-sided affair - as Liverpool attacked relentlessly but lacked the necessary guile to open the scoring.
Rafael Benitez's Liverpool side will take on Atletico Madrid after overcoming Benfica 4-1 at Anfield to win 5-3 on aggregate, while Fulham won 1-0 at German champions Wolfsburg for a 3-1 aggregate victory and will face Hamburg in their last-four encounter.
But, there were no signs that Liverpool were feeling the effects of their exertions in the week as they started brightly with chances falling to David Ngog, Maxi Rodriguez and Aquilani.
The home side had received an attacking blow prior to kick-off when talismanic 22-goal striker Fernando Torres was ruled out with a knee injury.
And Liverpool missed the Spanish international's cutting edge as they dominated, Ngog lashing a half-chance high and wide after being put through by Javier Mascherano early on.
Benitez admits defeat in race for fourth
Liverpool found joy down the flanks and an inventive piece of play by Aquilani almost brought the opening goal.
Glen Johnson's cross was headed back across goal by Steven Gerrard and Aquilani, with his back to goal, teed himself up an overhead kick but the shot flew straight into the hands of Schwarzer.
Seconds later Maxi was set loose in the box but he fired into the feet of the impressive Fulham stopper.
Schwarzer was again tested by Mascherano, who found space 25 yards out and looped a vicious half-volley towards goal which the keeper just managed to palm away to his right, as Liverpool threatened to run riot.
Hodgson delighted with Fulham persistence
Despite their stunning form in Europe, Fulham have not won on the road in the Premier League since the opening day of the season and their lack of attacking intent at Anfield gave an inkling as to why.
A double chance for Aquilani at the start of the second half suggested the second period would again be dominated by the home side.
First the Italy international's curled effort from 20 yards was touched over the bar by Schwarzer, before Aquilani drove a left-footed effort wide.
Fulham continued to defend deep and invite Liverpool on to them and Babel took the opportunity to test Schwarzer again with a fierce low drive which was pushed around the near post.
It began to feel like it would not be Liverpool's day when Greece defencer Sotirios Kyrgiakos headed over the bar when he really should have done better from five yards out after being set up by Dirk Kuyt.
And as the seconds ticked by Liverpool could not find the urgency or ingenuity to carve open the robust Fulham defence leaving the Anfield crowd frustrated and having to contemplate next season without Champions League football.
The result may also mean that if these two sides do meet again this season it would represent Liverpool's best chance of taking something out of a disappointing campaign.

Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Fernando Torres' superb individual goal and a Steven Gerrard penalty pushed Liverpool up to fourth as Fulham again imploded in the last 10 minutes.
Torres twisted and turned to get the better of Aaron Hughes, before beating goalkeeper Antti Niemi with a low shot.
Peter Crouch, who hit the bar with a first-half header, won the penalty when he was fouled by Carlos Bocanegra and Gerrard's spot-kick was unstoppable.
Niemi was superb for Fulham in goal, making a series of top-class saves.
During midweek Liverpool had thrashed Besiktas 8-0 in the Champions League, but Fulham proved less accommodating as Rafa Benitez named an unchanged side for the first time in over a year.
Prior to Saturday's game, Liverpool had drawn four home games and for 80 minutes Fulham looked they might be another side to come away from Anfield with a point.
But not for the first time this season Fulham, who now have conceded goals in the last 10 times seven times this season, failed to last the course.
Deploying David Healy and Shefki Kuqi in attack, Fulham tried to get their midfield players to support them as quickly as possible in the early stages of the game.
Kuqi's aerial presence caused Liverpool problems, while former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy tried his luck with a couple of long-range efforts.
Kuqi worked tirelessly for Fulham, tracking back to help out his defenders.
And Fulham's defensive organisation ensured Liverpool struggled to create clear chances in an even first half, ensuring Niemi had only one real save to make in the opening period from Sami Hyypia's shot.
Andriy Voronin briefly unsettled the Fuham defence when he emerged unmarked at the far post, but after controlling the ball on his chest he misplaced his pass.
Even so Liverpool were unlucky not to go in at the interval ahead when Crouch's looping header bounced off the bar.
Just after the restart Crouch headed the ball down to Voronin, but the Ukrainian forward's shot was comfortably gathered by Niemi.
On 55 minutes the Fulham keeper had an altogehter less comfortable moment when he was momentarily deceived by Fabio Aurelio's free-kick, before recovering to make the save.
Soon afterwards Niemi had to push the ball over the bar from Voronin's rising shot, though Voronin was to completely miss his kick when Liverpool's next chance arrived.
Niemi's best save of the game came from Yossi's Benayoun's chip which looked goalbound before the Finn got one hand to the ball and pushed it past the post.
Benayoun had an influential game for Liverpool and a clever pass released Voronin, but the Ukrainian's shot flashed past the post.
On came Ryan Babel and Torres and the Spanish striker's arrival proved decisive.
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina played a part in Torres' goal, his huge kick finding his Spanish compatriot deep in the Fulham half.
Torres' tricky bamboozled Hughes and having created space the former Atletico Madrid beat Niemi with a low shot inside the near post.
Crouch was then tripped by Bocanegra and Gerrard's powerful penalty gave Niemi no chance.
· Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:"Their keeper was really good but we were creating chances and at the end we could score a second goal because they were a little bit open.
"We knew Fulham would work hard till the end but we needed to keep going, passing the ball and trying to do our job.
"It's always important to win, but especially when you know that for 10-15 days you won't have another game, so our people will be happy for at least 10-15 days!"
· Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez:"I thought we pretty much contained them in the second half but the problem was we thought we had coped so well we could go on and nick it.
"We're not a bad side but we're not quite at the level where can live with a team like Liverpool for 90 minutes.
"But overall I'm pleased with the performance. When you come to a place like this you know they can go away from teams but we stayed with them until the end."
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano (Lucas 81), Gerrard, Riise (Babel 62), Voronin (Torres 70), Crouch.Subs Not Used: Martin, Finnan.
Goals: Torres 81, Gerrard 85 pen.
Fulham: Niemi, Baird, Hughes, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Davies, Davis, Murphy, Dempsey (Kamara 69), Kuqi, Healy (Bouazza 60).Subs Not Used: Warner, Smertin, Leijer.
Booked: Murphy, Dempsey.
Att: 43,073
Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Fernando Torres came on to inspire Liverpool to victory as Rafa Benitez's men scored twice in the last nine minutes to finally overcome Fulham.
The £25m Spanish striker emerged from the bench with 20 minutes remaining, with Liverpool once again struggling to turn their dominance into goals.
It took Torres just 11 minutes to strike a wonderful opener, collecting keeper Jose Reina's punt and embarking on a powerful run which saw him twist inside Aaron Hughes before beating inspired keeper Antti Niemi with a low shot.
Steven Gerrard sealed victory five minutes from time from the penalty spot after Peter Crouch had been tripped by Carlos Bocanegra - although television replays proved the offence took place marginally outside the box.
Liverpool may have demolished Besiktas by a record Champions League score in midweek, but there was still an element of disbelief around Anfield when it was announced that Benitez had named an unchanged line-up.
It was the first time in 59 games that the Spaniard had decided against tinkering with his team.
That meant Torres once again had to be content with a place on the bench, with Peter Crouch handed his second Premier League start of the season - and his first since September.
Benitez knew that a victory was vital if his team were to regain momentum in the title race after two successive draws.
Despite being unbeaten in the league, the Merseysiders began the evening six points adrift of leaders Arsenal due to the fact that four of their previous five home games this term had ended in stalemate.
Fulham, like their hosts, have built up a reputation as draw specialists, with half of their 12 games ending level.
Last week's win over Reading was only the Londoners' second victory of the campaign.
The game represented an Anfield return for Danny Murphy, the former England midfielder who had arrived at Fulham via Spurs after a medal-laden time with the club of his boyhood dreams.
Murphy was on target with the first shot of the game after just 11 seconds - his drive from 20 yards bringing a comfortable save from Pepe Reina.
Liverpool's response was a drive from Sami Hyypia, which was redirected past his lefthand post by Niemi.
Then, after the contest had become more subdued, Gerrard was angry with himself when he found time and space on the edge of the box only to fire well over.
Murphy seemed to be on a mission to prove to Benitez that selling him was a mistake and he gave Reina an even bigger test when he met Clint Dempsey's knock-down with a volley from 18 yards which the Liverpool keeper was again equal to.
Liverpool's growing frustration was cranked up another notch when Gerrard found Crouch smuggling himself around the back of Hughes, but the Irish defender reacted well to clear the danger as the Reds' striker shaped to shoot.
Then Euro hat-trick hero Yossi Benayoun directed Alvaro Arbeola's cross away from the incoming Gerrard as another chance went begging.
Liverpool continued to fail to make their increasing dominance tell - and they weren't helped when Andriy Voronin's charge on goal from Gerrard's pass was halted by a dubious offside call.
Niemi almost handed the home side a gift when Benayoun's header was deflected high into the air and the Fulham keeper spilled a routine catch before snatching the loose ball off the toes of Crouch. Then Crouch cursed his luck in first-half injury-time when he finally found a way past Niemi with a looping header from Fabio Aurelio's free-kick, but his effort came bouncing back off the crossbar.
Voronin opened the second half by forcing Niemi into a smart save, meeting Crouch's downward header with a volley that brought a smart stop from the Finn.
That was the cue for Liverpool to really crank up the pressure - and the second period was a constant succession of home attacks.
Gerrard did his best to galvanise his men and after robbing Steven Davis in the centre circle he powered forward towards goal only to be halted by Murphy's cynical tackle.
Murphy was booked and Aurelio thought he had exacted more retribution with a curling free-kick that Niemi seemed to misjudge before realigning himself to save.
Voronin was first to the rebound but, under pressure from Dejan Stefanovic and Hughes, he could only direct his shot over from point-blank range.
Niemi saved well again when Voronin linked up well with Crouch and generated a shot with great power but not enough direction to beat the keeper.
Then Voronin missed his kick completely from Gerrard's cross after Stefanovic's desperation to prevent a corner had presented the Liverpool skipper with possession.
Lawrie Sanchez took off striker Healey and replaced him with midfielder Hameur Bouazza, while Benitez decided that Riise would make way for Ryan Babel.
Within seconds Babel had teed up Benayoun to clip a glorious shot towards the top corner, but Niemi excelled again with a stunning finger-tip save.
Twenty minutes from time came the call for Torres, with Voronin the man to make way (SEE PHOTO) - and that turned out to be the decision which finally allowed Liverpool to make their superiority count.

CROUCH: TORRES WAS THE DIFFERENCE

Peter Crouch admits fellow striker Fernando Torres was the difference between the sides in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
The Spanish striker was introduced after a frustrating 70 minutes for the Reds – and it didn't take him long to open the scores after latching onto a long ball from Pepe Reina. Crouch said: "We've got a lot of quality in the squad and I thought all the boys did well, but Fernando when he came on offered us something different. Credit to him, he got the goal and it all opened up. "We had to be patient because of Fulham's game-plan, they defended well and it was hard to break them down. But I felt we were always on top and they couldn't keep it up. I think it would have been a few more if the game had gone on a bit longer." The England international was instrumental in Liverpool's second on 85 minutes when he was tripped by Carlos Bocanegra. Referee Stephen Tanner pointed to the spot, though replays were not conclusive on whether the foul was inside the box. Crouch joked that he would have scored anyway. "I don't know if it was in or outside the box – it was borderline but I was ready to take a shot and no doubt that would have flown in. "It was definitely a foul. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't, and thankfully Stevie tucked it away really well."