Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, a result that saw the Reds’ 11 game unbeaten streak come to a shuddering halt.
Midfielder Jay Spearing was sent off for Liverpool, while USA international midfielder Clint Dempsey scored a late winner for Fulham after Pepe Reina spilled Danny Murphy’s shot.
The game opened in end-to-end fashion, and both goalkeepers were forced into saves during the opening exchanges.
First, Liverpool goalkeeper Reina saved well from Moussa Dembele, before Mark Schwarzer denied Andy Carroll at the other end.
Reina was forced into action twice more during the opening half hour, when he produced diving saves to keep out Dembele and Dempsey.
Liverpool were looking for their fourth straight Premier League win, and went close to taking a 28th minute lead when Jordan Henderson cut inside and struck a curling shot against the goalpost.
Luis Suarez fired wide from another Liverpool attack, while Fulham continued to threaten and Reina was again called into action to stop a long range Dempsey effort.
With the words of Kenny Dalglish ringing in their ears, Liverpool started the second half strongly and had the second half’s first chance when Luis Suarez fired wide.
The Reds then had a penalty appeal denied when Charlie Adam was fouled by Philippe Senderos during a dangerous counter attack. Referee Kevin Friend called the foul but correctly ruled that the initial contact has taken place just outside of the penalty area.
Liverpool are developing a reputation for not finishing chances when they were on top in games this season, and this game only gave more ammunition to critics who hold that theory. First Welsh international Craig Bellamy fired wide when presented with a chance 10 yards out, before Luis Suarez was called offside before bearing down on goal.
The Reds were then reduced to 10 men when midfielder Spearing was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Dembele. Spearing was deputizing for injured Brazilian Lucas, and his suspension will now leave Reds boss Dalglish with a void to fill in the holding midfield role.
Dalglish expressed his disappointment with the decision after the game, and may appeal the decision to the FA. “Jay will be upset, but we will have a little look and see if it is worthwhile appealing,” the Liverpool manager told BBC Sport.
Fulham pushed forward with their man advantage, and almost took the lead when American midfielder Dempsey cut inside and fired against the crossbar. Belgian international striker Dembele then forced a save from Reina before firing wide.
Liverpool had one more chance to take the lead but England winger Stewart Downing was denied by an excellent diving save from his former Middlesbrough teammate Schwarzer.
After such a crucial save from Schwarzer, the game would be decided with an error from his opposite number Reina with only five minutes remaining, Danny Murphy shot from the edge of the area but his effort was straight at Reina, the Spanish goalkeeper spilled a seemingly routine save and Dempsey lashed in the rebound to give Fulham the decisive lead.
The result leaves Liverpool in seventh place as they prepare to host Queens Park Rangers this coming weekend. Fulham opened a five point gap between themselves and the relegation zone with the win, and face a trip to Swansea City next weekend.
LINEUPS
FUL – Schwarzer, Kelly, JA Riise, Hangeland, Senderos, Murphy (Gecov 90+4), Etuhu, Dempsey, Ruiz, Zamora (Johnson 71), Dembele.
LIV – Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 77), Bellamy (Downing 77).
SCORING SUMMARY
FUL – Clint Dempsey (Danny Murphy) 85’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Attendance: 25,688
The game opened in end-to-end fashion, and both goalkeepers were forced into saves during the opening exchanges.
First, Liverpool goalkeeper Reina saved well from Moussa Dembele, before Mark Schwarzer denied Andy Carroll at the other end.
Reina was forced into action twice more during the opening half hour, when he produced diving saves to keep out Dembele and Dempsey.
Liverpool were looking for their fourth straight Premier League win, and went close to taking a 28th minute lead when Jordan Henderson cut inside and struck a curling shot against the goalpost.
Luis Suarez fired wide from another Liverpool attack, while Fulham continued to threaten and Reina was again called into action to stop a long range Dempsey effort.
With the words of Kenny Dalglish ringing in their ears, Liverpool started the second half strongly and had the second half’s first chance when Luis Suarez fired wide.
The Reds then had a penalty appeal denied when Charlie Adam was fouled by Philippe Senderos during a dangerous counter attack. Referee Kevin Friend called the foul but correctly ruled that the initial contact has taken place just outside of the penalty area.
Liverpool are developing a reputation for not finishing chances when they were on top in games this season, and this game only gave more ammunition to critics who hold that theory. First Welsh international Craig Bellamy fired wide when presented with a chance 10 yards out, before Luis Suarez was called offside before bearing down on goal.
The Reds were then reduced to 10 men when midfielder Spearing was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Dembele. Spearing was deputizing for injured Brazilian Lucas, and his suspension will now leave Reds boss Dalglish with a void to fill in the holding midfield role.
Dalglish expressed his disappointment with the decision after the game, and may appeal the decision to the FA. “Jay will be upset, but we will have a little look and see if it is worthwhile appealing,” the Liverpool manager told BBC Sport.
Fulham pushed forward with their man advantage, and almost took the lead when American midfielder Dempsey cut inside and fired against the crossbar. Belgian international striker Dembele then forced a save from Reina before firing wide.
Liverpool had one more chance to take the lead but England winger Stewart Downing was denied by an excellent diving save from his former Middlesbrough teammate Schwarzer.
After such a crucial save from Schwarzer, the game would be decided with an error from his opposite number Reina with only five minutes remaining, Danny Murphy shot from the edge of the area but his effort was straight at Reina, the Spanish goalkeeper spilled a seemingly routine save and Dempsey lashed in the rebound to give Fulham the decisive lead.
The result leaves Liverpool in seventh place as they prepare to host Queens Park Rangers this coming weekend. Fulham opened a five point gap between themselves and the relegation zone with the win, and face a trip to Swansea City next weekend.
LINEUPS
FUL – Schwarzer, Kelly, JA Riise, Hangeland, Senderos, Murphy (Gecov 90+4), Etuhu, Dempsey, Ruiz, Zamora (Johnson 71), Dembele.
LIV – Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 77), Bellamy (Downing 77).
SCORING SUMMARY
FUL – Clint Dempsey (Danny Murphy) 85’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Attendance: 25,688
