God I need cheering up!
If losing to Queens Park Rangers was hard to swallow, then getting humiliated up at Anfield, against a Liverpool side that are nowhere near as good as their sides of the past; was a bitter pill to swallow!
Okay, I`ll accept that our midfield, for one reason or another was seriously depleted, but, honestly, we could have conceded double figures yesterday, we were that woeful.
Our hosts had already exerted some early pressure when Agger headed a corner just over the bar, after some good work from Jose Enrique, but to go a goal down after just eight minutes set the tone for the evening.
Another corner, taken by Steven Gerrard, fell invitingly for Skrtel to swing a boot and his thumping volley flew past Schwarzer in our goal, although Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland colliding with each other may well have provided the space needed for Skrtel to fire home.
Liverpool remained on top and Fulham were grateful that a shot from Downing flew just wide. Out first major progression towards an attacking situation saw Kataniklic dispossessed by Johnson and another swift attack saw Suarez fire wide from distance.
Agger should then have doubled the home sides` advantage but somehow, from two yards out, Agger cleared the bar and stuck the ball in the Anfield Road stand. In another rare moment of attacking poise, Richardson almost got us back on level terms when his long range shot swerved at the last moment causing Reina to kick the ball away.
But, sadly, with thirty-six minutes on the clock, we went 2-0 down when Gerrard netted. Downing drifted down the flank and cut in before providing a perfect defence-splitting ball that found Gerrard and his shot went across Schwarzer and into the net.
As half time approached Schwarzer was forced to save, from Suarez as Fulham were cut open again.
Half Time – Liverpool 2 Fulham 0
Sensing the situation was verging on desperate, Jol withdrew Kacaniklic and introduced Rodallega at half time but Liverpool continued to force us back as they went for the jugular. An early spell of action saw Downing`s shot deflected into the path of Suarez but his volley, with the goal gaping, flew wide.
Six minutes into the half Liverpool did go 3-0 up when Downing got on the score-sheet when he beat Riise and his shot, from the edge of the box, beat Schwarzer. The goal saw Jol make a second change bringing on Kerim Frei for Richardson but a comeback was never going to happen.
Suarez, as Liverpool pushed forward, provided a chance for Shelvey that was deflected over the bar before a rare sortie up front for Fulham saw Rodallega mistime his leap for a corner and the ball glanced off his head.
Liverpool were looking for more goals and Johnson shot wide from distance before a swerving shot from Downing almost arrowed into the top corner. Dejagah showed there was some fight, somewhere; in our bellies by picking up a yellow card for a poor foul ad from the resulting free kick Schwarzer produced a good save from Gerrard`s effort.
Suarez thought he`d added to the tally when he skipped through our defence but was foiled by Schwarzer`s legs .
As the game entered its last stages Suarez saw Schwarzer turn away his free kick but the striker was not to be denied that goal as he notched number four in the final minute casually collecting a ball from Jose Enrique before scoring from six yards out.
Next up is Southampton, on Boxing Day, can we have a decent performance for Christmas please?
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