Fulham 3-1 Liverpool

Liverpool were reduced to nine men as they suffered a fifth league defeat in 11 games after being beaten at Fulham.

Cottagers striker Bobby Zamora gave his side the lead against the run of play when he tapped in a Damien Duff cross.
 
Fernando Torres equalised with an 18-yard volley only for Erik Nevland to flick in a shot from close range to restore Fulham's lead.
 
Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were sent off late on for Liverpool before Clint Dempsey tapped in Fulham's third.
 
Degen was given a straight red after a late challenge on Clint Dempsey just moments before Carragher was dealt the same fate for a professional foul on Zamora.
 
The defeat and the manner of it left the Reds in disarray as their season threatens to fall apart with manager Rafael Benitez trying to nurse a severe injury crisis.
 
Liverpool fans would have had serious concerns about their chances at Craven Cottage with Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Albert Riera, Fabio Aurelio and Alberto Aquilani not even making the squad and their concerns were well-founded.
 
Degen, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Andriy Voronin each made rare Premier League starts and, even though the visitors had plenty of possession early on, Fulham took the lead.
 
Just after Yossi Benayoun had thumped a far post shot against the Fulham crossbar, Zamora caught the Reds defence sleeping as he stole in between Kyrgiakos and Insua to tap in a low angled Duff cross.
 
Picking the ball out of his net was almost keeper Pepe Reina's first action of the match and, while Liverpool were dominating the match, his counterpart Mark Schwarzer was rarely being tested.
 
That all changed when a Voronin header from Degen's ball came off Aaron Hughes and Torres instantly lashed in a volley from the edge of the box.
 
Torres was taken off after 62 minutes as Benitez attempted to shield his star striker from injury ahead of a crucial Champions League game at Lyon on Wednesday.
 
But Torres is vital to Liverpool's play and confidence - as he showed in the win over Manchester United last week - and a more adventurous Fulham took full advantage of his exit.
 
Zamora was incensed he was not given a penalty when Carragher eased him off the ball as they chased a long ball forward but the home side did not have long to wait for a second goal.
 
Paul Konchesky skipped over a Dirk Kuyt challenge and chipped in a cross which Zoltan gera nodded back for Nevland to apply the finishing touch to.
 
The need to chase the game left Liverpool susceptible at the back and, with their defence having been vulnerable all season, they soon capitulated.
 
Degen might have felt hard done by along with Carragher, who eventually left the field after remonstrating he had got the ball in a tackle on Zamora.
 
Fulham then made the most of their numerical advantage with Nevland playing in an unmarked Dempsey and he sidefooted home to compound Liverpool's misery.
 
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.