Source: SKY_Sports
Fulham v Liverpool live!
The result is nothing less than Benitez's side deserved after they hit the woodwork four times in the first half. Attention now turns to Old Trafford tomorrow as Liverpool's title rivals Manchester United host Aston Villa.[LNB]90+4 Bennett brings the game to an end and Liverpool will return to Merseyside with all three points.[LNB]90+3 What a climax here at Craven Cottage, Liverpool look like they will hold on[LNB]90+2 Gerrard comes off for daniel Agger.[LNB]90+1 Liverpool finally break the deadlock through Benayoun, who came so close moments earlier. Babel's probing dribble opens up some space and he finds his skipper just outside the area. His pass ricochets off Hangeland and falls at the feet of Benayoun. The Israeli holds his nerve and fires the ball past the flailing Schwarzer.[LNB]90 There'll be four minutes of added time.[LNB]89 Fulham counter quickly and Skrtel takes one for the team and fouls Dempsey. The Slovakian goes into the book for his efforts. The ensuing free-kick falls dangerously in the area, but the Reds finally clear.[LNB]88 Babel's persistent run into the area pays off and he wins a corner. Gerrard takes a quick corner and Lucas's shot is blocked by Hangeland.[LNB]87 Johnson is withdrawn as Eric Nevland gets a run out.[LNB]86 Gera goes into the book for a foul on Reina.[LNB]86 Reina though salvages the situation and collects Konchesky's set-piece.[LNB]85 Insua is adjudged to have fouled Gera deep in Liverpool territory. It's a big call from the assistant.[LNB]84 Alonso's corner is poor and Paintsil clears before Torres is ruled offside.[LNB]83 Insua wins a corner and Skrtel comes forward.[LNB]82 With time running out Gerrard is perhaps trying to do too much on his own.[LNB]81 Liverpool miss two good chances. First Babel's footwork lets him down when he has a shooting chance and then Benayoun fails to guide Gerrard's powerful low cross into the goal.[LNB]80 The game has opened up now, lots of space is there to be exploited.[LNB]79 Davies makes way for Zoltan Gera, Fulham's second change of the match.[LNB]78 Insua gets to the byline, but he is unable to put in a telling cross and Fulham survive that attack.[LNB]77 Gareth eves says: 'Im from south wales and im a liverpool supporter , and i honestly belleve if we dont win this game then , i think our title challenge is over'[LNB]76 Fulham also make a change. Olivier Dacourt is on for Murphy.[LNB]75 Benitez plays another gambit by withdrawing Kuyt for Benayoun. Remember, Liverpool face Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals this coming Wednesday.[LNB]74 Both sides have increased the tempo with the match now entering its final phase. Murphy's shot from 20 yards is pushed wide of Reina's goal. A let-off for the Reds[LNB]73 Moments later, Gerrard, who is again on the left, knocks in a great cross that eludes Torres, Kuyt and Babel, who are all lurking in the area.[LNB]72 A Gerrard corner causes chaos in the Fulham defence, yet they somehow manage to clear the danger.[LNB]71 Skrtel then concedes a corner to Johnson. But the Reds counter through Gerrard. The England star slides a lovely pass out to the right and Babel picks up, checks, and shoots. Paintsil though has the last say and he slides in to block the effort.[LNB]70 Liverpool have dominated possession in the last ten minutes, but despite spending time in Fulham's half, they have failed to carve out a real chance.[LNB]69 Substitute Babel is 7/1 to open the scoring according to our friends at Sky Bet.[LNB]68 Paintsil fouls Babel with a silly challenge. The Ghana defender is on thin ice following his booking earlier.[LNB]67 Donal O'Keefee reckons: 'I really think liverpool should throw everything forward as a win will put all the pressure on united tommorrow!'[LNB]66 Konchesky goes for goal himself from a tight angle and from a long way out. It has nothing like the venom on it required to beat Reina.[LNB]65 Zamora finds Johnson in the right channel and Carragher concedes a free-kick for a lunge on the latter.[LNB]64 Benitez makes his first change as Babel is introduced for Dossena.[LNB]63 Alonso swings the ball out to Gerrard who has drifted out to the left. He over-hits his cross, however, and Fulham have a goal-kick.[LNB]62 Fulham strut their stuff and move forward through Konchesky. He finds his captain Murphy in the box and Skrtel stands up to the former Reds star to quell the attack.[LNB]61 Benitez might be tempted to turn to his bench and inject some pace and skill by sending on either Yossi Benayoun or Ryan babel.[LNB]60 Gerrard marshals his troops from midfield, puts his foot on the ball and slows up play. Kuyt makes a clever run, but he is called offside.[LNB]59 Renzo from Malta says: 'Lets just hope Fulham will score! If they can beat Liverpool.. it means they can make it for UEFA. Also with the fair play award they got recently, they might get in to participate as a fair play participant.'[LNB]58 Paintsil goes into the book for a studs-up lunge on Dossena.[LNB]57 Pool are happy to bide their time until Lucas pushes into the box. Hangeland is having none of it though, and he uses his strength to win the ball.[LNB]56 Alonso, who can do with a razor, again tries his luck from range. This time he can't generate any power and Schwarzer saves with a dive to his left.[LNB]55 At the other end Fulham win a corner that Davies knocks in. Reina dominates his area and completes a routine catch.[LNB]54 Insua marauds down the left and swings in a lovely cross to Torres. Unmarked, the striker cannot get any power on his header and Schwarzer saves.[LNB]53 Krishnan Iyer from India says: I' Sincerely Hope Liverpool win this game and add boost to their Title Hopes..And look to increase their Goal Difference...'[LNB]52 Fulham win another throw-in and Paintsil launches another long one. Reina reads it well this time and collects comfortably.[LNB]51 Dossena squanders possession in the left channel, but Fulham don't seem to know what to do with the ball.[LNB]49 Skrtel stands up to Zamora and concedes a throw-in. Paintsil's long throw causes some jitters on Merseyside, but in the end Murphy over-hits his pass into the box.[LNB]48 Dossena's cross from the left is poor after Insua did well to play him into space.[LNB]47 Keraro Ben says: 'Fulham have proved yet again that they can hold their own. But Liverpool hit the woodwork 3times. This is a good sign. When they move the ball quickly then they have a chance to score because Torres tends to have very good timed runs to the box. But Liverpool should be wary of Fulham's ability to create goals out of nowhere. They had their chances in the first half and could have scored. I, however, think Liverpool will leave with a 2-0 victory to go over the top. At least that is what I want!'[LNB]47 Kuyt is adjudged offside in Liverpool's first attack of the half.[LNB]46 Robbie thinks Liverpool are the unluckiest team for the first 45 Fulham will be sighing relief at half time at 0-0 when they should be looking at at least 3-0 Liverpool[LNB]46 The men in red get the second half underway and Gerrard gets an early touch. His link-up play with Torres was certainly the highlight of the opening stanza.[LNB] The odds on this ending as a draw are 17/10.[LNB] Bennett ends the half and Hodgson will be wondering just how his side managed to survive that relentless onslaught from Liverpool who somehow hit the woodwork four times in the opening half! Cheers fow now, I'll be back for the second half.[LNB]45+1 We're into the one minute of added time now.[LNB]45 Dempsey then attacks down the left and his low cross finds Zamora in the box. The forward can't control and Liverpool clear the ball.[LNB]44 Despite looking fragile at times Fulham are still looking to get forward down the right.[LNB]43 Zamora gets a stern warning from referee Bennett for bumping into Carragher.[LNB]42 And Dossena lays the ball off the Gerrard whose powerful shot slams into the wall and out for a throw.[LNB]41 Torres wins a free-kick off Dickson Etuhu on the edge of the area.[LNB]40 Gerrard wins the ball on the halfway line and hits a superb long pass for Torres. John Paintsil does well to clear.[LNB]39 Fulham win a free-kick in a dangerous area. Dempsey, Konchesky and Murphy show interest, and the former finally curls his effort well over Pepe Reina's crossbar.[LNB]38 The Reds certainly deserve to be in the lead. However, the football gods are smiling on Hodgson's charges...[LNB]37 Fulham finally win the ball and quiten things down.[LNB]36 Quite remarkably, Liverpool hit the woodwork again. Gerrard crosses from the right flank and a diving header from Dossena beats the goalkeeper, but not the crossbar.[LNB]35 The Spanish striker is played through on goal by Gerrard after the two show a telepathic understanding and although pushed out wide, his placed shot beats Schwarzer. But agonisingly for Liverpool, the ball hits the upright![LNB]34 Torres then cuts back inside and his shot is somewhat tame compared to Alonso's. easy save for Schwarzer.[LNB]32 Gerrard's corner is cleared as far as Alonso and he shows tremendous technique to hit a beautiful volley. Schwarzer is flat footed and totally beaten but the ball clatters into the woodwork. Another let off for the Londoners.[LNB]31 Roy Hodgson's charges lose the ball in midfield and Kuyt's shot from range ricochets out for a corner.[LNB]30 Dossena's deflected pass falls at the feet of Torres. He fails to control and the Cottagers' fans breathe a sigh of relief.[LNB]29 Benitez's team remain content to be patient and prove from deep. However, they have looked most dangerous by upping the tempo with - you guessed it - Steven Gerrard on the ball.[LNB]28 Still no goals here, but Fulham have managed to settle and keep possession away from the Reds.[LNB]27 Robbie from Saint albans thinks liverpool have made a slow start but a strong start to the second half to be expected 4-0 to liverpool[LNB]26 After that little flurry from Pool, Jack may well be right. As I typed that Torres won a tussle against Murphy to set-up Alonso, who fired just wide of the goal.[LNB]25 Jack reckons a 'poor liverpool side will do the business and win 2-0,gerrard and torres.[LNB]24 Moments later Gerrard releases Kuyt and he crosses for Torres. Although sandwiched by two defenders Torres manages to angle a header in towards goal, but it flies wide of the mark.[LNB]22 Gerrard's trademark drive into the area is almost unstoppable and the midfielder slides the ball through for Torres. The Spanish star attempts to side-foot past Schwarzer, but the 'keeper makes a stunning save to deny Rafa Benitez's men the opener.[LNB]21 Although Liverpool have scored 15 times in their last four matches, they have yet to breach this resolute Fulham defence.[LNB]20 Konchesky gives away a throw-in in his own half.[LNB]19 Emiliano Insua shows a glimpse of his potential by going on a slalom run before losing the ball.[LNB]18 A first time ball very nearly finds Torres in space, but the indomitable Hangeland covers and clears the danger.[LNB]17 Without Javier Mascherano Liverpool have failed to stamp their authority on the midfield.[LNB]16 Skrtel gives away possession to Bobby Zamora and the striker looks for his strike partner Johnson who made a good run. Unfortunately for Cottagers fans the pass has too much on it and it rolls out for a goalkick.[LNB]15 It seems there is a problem with the e-mail server, so you can try mail me at rferraris@gmail.com if you so wish...[LNB]14 Here's a betting update: The home side are 4/1 to win this match.[LNB]13 Fulham have the fourth best home record in the league and the Merseysiders have just shown that they have the potential to hurt that fine record.[LNB]12 Gerrard and Kuyt combine well down the right wing and the skipper frees the Dutchman. With a number of options to aim at Kuyt takes the wrong option and shoots from a tight angle. He misses the target.[LNB]11 From the ensuing set-piece Martin Skrtel finds himself unmarked and he hammers his volley from just inside the area into Mark Schwarzer's crossbar. That's better from Liverpool.[LNB]10 Liverpool finally show what they can do as Fernando Torres sets up Andrea Dossena from an Alonso long ball. The Italian wins a corner.[LNB]9 Danny Murphy wins the ball from Alonso in midfield and gets Fulham moving forward again.[LNB]8 The visitors have yet to settle and it seems the international break has hampered Liverpool's momentum.[LNB]7 Fulham win a corner as Jamie Carragher covers for Arbeloa, but the set-piece is wasted as Simon Davies is flagged offside.[LNB]6 The Londoners have started well and have enjoyed the majority of the possession. Dempsey then takes on Alvaro Arbeloa and drives into the box.[LNB]5 Xabi Alonso attempts to spark something from deep inside his own half, but Fulham maintain their shape and keep the Reds at bay. Andy Johnson is then called offside as Liverpool push up.[LNB]4 It's all a bit scappy now as both sides look to gain the upperhand in midfield.[LNB]3 Paul Konchesky bombs forward down the left - a channel Fulham seem intent on attacking - but he hits his cross too long.[LNB]2 The Reds hit back with a long ball into the area and Steven Gerrard's shot from just inside the box is blocked by Brede Hangeland.[LNB]1 Fulham get the match underway and they are playing from right to left. Clint Dempsey is called offside in the home team's opening foray forward.[LNB] For those inclined to take a punt, Steven Gerrard is 9/2 to open the scoring with Sky Bet. Fernando Torres is at 4/1.[LNB] The big news from the Liverpool camp is that Rafa Benitez has left Javier Mascherano on the bench. The midfielder played in Argentina's 6-1 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz in midweek so Lucas comes in to replace him. Emiliano Ins?tarts on the left side of defence and Andrea Dossena slots into a wide left position in midfield.Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have both been included in the starting line-up despite a Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea on Wednesday. Fulham will look to continue their brilliant form against the Big Four at home. This season they have beaten Arsenal, drawn with Chelsea and last time out shocked Sir Alex Ferguson's United with a 2-0 triumph. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, now Fulham captain, will be hoping to lead his side to their 10th home victory of the season, although the Cottagers have scored just one goal against the Reds in their last five games[LNB]The teams are in:[LNB]Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Zamora, Johnson. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gera, Kamara, Dacourt, Kallio, Baird[LNB]Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Dossena, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Riera, Benayoun, Babel, Mascherano, Ngog[LNB]Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)[LNB] Welcome to our live coverage of Fulham v Liverpool from Craven Cottage. The hosts will be keen to consolidate their position in the top half of the table while Liverpool will hope to extend their three-match winning streak in the league and keep the pressure on Manchester United. You can e-mail me at richard.ferraris@teamtalkmedia.co.za with your thoughts on the game.[LNB]
