Liverpool 0 Fulham 1
Fulham gave manager Martin Jol the perfect pick-me-up by winning at Anfield to record the club’s first ever top-flight victory on Merseyside.
A fifth-minute own goal by Martin Skrtel proved decisive. John Arne Riise, playing against his former side, collected Clint Dempsey’s pass and sent in a teasing left-wing cross an off-balance Skrtel inadvertently diverted into the net.
Jol missed the match as he continues to recover from the chest infection that also kept him away from Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Everton.
That result stretched Fulham’s run without a win at either Liverpool or Everton to 41 matches.
But Kenny Dalglish’s team selection indicated that Jol’s men were in with a chance of an historic triumph.
Reds boss Dalglish rested his top players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
His weak line-up produced a predictably listless display and rarely looked like finding an equaliser after falling behind.
Maxi Rodriguez missed a chance to level when he headed over, before Jonjo Shelvey fired wide as Liverpool enjoyed a spell of decent pressure.
But Fulham, who moved above their opponents into eighth place, always looked a threat and they went close to doubling the lead when substitute Kerim Frei curled an effort against the post.
Frei then created a golden opportunity for Dempsey but the American was unable to find a way past goalkeeper Doni.
The only sour note for Fulham was an injury to Moussa Dembele, who limped off late on with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.
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This post was last modified on 02/05/2012
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There's nothing wrong with Liverpool that a new team and a new manager wouldn't cure. Better throw in some new supporters too - some that won't tolerate the rubbish that has been served up this season.