Reds held by Cottagers

Rafael Benitez's side missed the influence of injured captain Steven Gerrard and it showed as the visitors dominated for long spells in the first half.

Liverpool started at pace but the opening exchanges produced just one decent chance when Fabio Aurelio's 40-yard crossfield pass picked out Alvaro Arbeloa, whose lay-off was side-footed wide by Dirk Kuyt after four minutes.

At the other end a hooked shot from former Everton striker Andrew Johnson forced Jose Reina into a scruffy save.

Aurelio's 29th-minute ball in from the left looked to deflect off Fernando Torres and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard on its way to Keane, who was denied as goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer rushed out to block.

Reina then kept Liverpool level, turning away Bullard's shot from the edge of the penalty area after Bobby Zamora had raced clear down the right.

Torres had a header that went wide and a low drive from Kuyt's pass that Schwarzer held but after the break Liverpool were much sharper. Robbie Keane's pass found Torres and the Spain striker curled a fine shot just over the far angle.

After 50 minutes Torres surged past John Pantsil and lashed an angled effort that Schwarzer palmed away.

With 21 minutes to go Albert Riera's cross was met on the full by Kuyt but Schwarzer again made a fine save to his left. Even the usually-reliable Xabi Alonso - a second-half substitute for Javier Mascherano - fired wildly over after being set up by Ryan Babel, who came off the bench to replace Riera.

Late on Lucas saw a 20-yard strike blocked by John Pantsil and Daniel Agger had a header clear the crossbar.