Benitez frustrated by stalemate

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The hosts laboured against a well-organised side, who took only their second away point of the campaign.

"It was a bad day, we did not have enough energy and we did not pass the ball well enough," said Benitez. "And then when we got back into the dressing room we discovered that Chelsea had drawn and Arsenal had lost."

He added: "Those results would have been good for us had we won this one. I would assume Chelsea feel the same way about our result and Arsenal's defeat."

He added: "We had a situation when maybe five players were well below their best. The players who had been away with their countries looked tired.

"I know the crowd were calling for Xabi Alonso to come on but he had played 90 minutes for Spain and we needed fresh legs.

"When he did come on Fulham pressurised him straight away. In don't think one man makes that much difference in such circumstances, when so many other players are off-form you cannot expect one player to change things."

For Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, the result was a welcome one.

"We have eventually seen through a decent away performance. So often this season we have been 0-0 with 10 minutes to go and conceded a goal," he said.

"That has sent us home deflated and frustrated. This time we produced a very good performance. In this division, to take a point at Liverpool who are potential champions of England, is very important."