Source: Team_Talk
Rafa's Reds toothless without Torres
iverpool badly missed Fernando Torres as they dropped two more points in their pursuit of fourth place following a 0-0 draw with Fulham.[LNB] The Reds had numerous opportunities to beat their fellow Europa League semi-finalists Fulham but, without the cutting edge of the injured Torres, drew a blank at Anfield.[LNB]They also came up against a goalkeeper in good form in Mark Schwarzer, who produced a number of saves including a fine stop from a powerful Ryan Babel drive.[LNB]Torres scored twice in Thursday's stunning victory over Benfica but left the field early to rest a knee injury.[LNB]Manager Rafael Benitez had expected the striker to be fit but he failed to even make the bench.[LNB]Dirk Kuyt and Lucas - Liverpool's other two scorers on Thursday - also had to make do with places among the substitutes along with Yossi Benayoun as Benitez made four changes.[LNB]David Ngog, Alberto Aquilani, Maxi Rodriguez and Babel were the men to come in but none made the difference against a resolute Fulham side.[LNB]Liverpool dominated possession throughout and Jose Reina, fresh from signing a new six-year contract, barely had a shot to save.[LNB]Yet their dependence on Torres was again all too evident.[LNB]Fulham were able to boast their leading scorer and hero of their European run, Bobby Zamora, following a fitness test on an Achilles injury, but the England World Cup hopeful endured a quiet afternoon.[LNB]The Reds should have taken the lead with just three minutes on the clock after Babel won a corner.[LNB]Steven Gerrard swung the ball in from the left and it was headed back towards goal by Daniel Agger after touching a Fulham defender.[LNB]It fell invitingly for Babel inside the six-yard box but the Dutchman failed to make any connection with a volley.[LNB]Gerrard created a chance for Ngog with a superb crossfield ball into the area but the Frenchman had to stretch and volleyed wide.[LNB]The tone for most of the afternoon was set with Liverpool much the livelier side but meeting continual frustration in the final third.[LNB]Another good move by Liverpool saw Gerrard pull back a Glen Johnson cross for Aquilani, who then flicked the ball up and attempted an overhead kick but Schwarzer saved comfortably.[LNB]Moments later Rodriguez took the ball down in the area to shoot but Schwarzer blocked.[LNB]Babel then delivered a good cross for Aquilani but the Italian headed over.[LNB]Mascherano tested Schwarzer with a powerful 30-yard drive just after the half-hour but the Australian saved well to his right.[LNB]Greening, already booked, was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for blocking Johnson 10 minutes before half-time as Liverpool continued to dominate without breaking through.[LNB]Liverpool pressed on and created three good chances for Aquilani after the break but the former Roma midfielder was unable to take any of them.[LNB]The first he scuffed weakly at Schwarzer before winning a corner with a shot the keeper palmed over the bar.[LNB]The ball came to him again soon after but this time he sliced wide from 25 yards.[LNB]Fulham spent large spells defending on the edge of their own area as Liverpool continued to push but they did so manfully, getting plenty of players behind the ball.[LNB]Gerrard got in a shot on target but Aaron Hughes blocked and Daniel Agger volleyed wide.[LNB]Schwarzer also seemed unbeatable, producing a brilliant save low to his right to keep put a fierce drive from Babel, cutting inside from the left.[LNB]Liverpool attempted to freshen up their attack by introducing Kuyt and Benayoun midway through the second half while Fulham withdrew the isolated figure of Zamora.[LNB]Kuyt was straight into the action and picked out Sotirios Kyrgiakos with a good cross only for the Greek to head over.[LNB]Another substitute, Daniel Pacheco, also had a powerful effort blocked.[LNB]Time ran out for Liverpool and, not for the first time this season, their supporters left frustrated.
