Chelsea and Manchester United, another casualties of the mid-week international friendlies, also failed to score in their matches. Arsenal suffered a heavy defeat in the hand of Manchester City, crashing to a 3-nil humiliation.
The decision to play Lucas Levia clearly backfired as Liverpool failed to control the midfield area during the first half. Rafa benched Xabi Alonso after the Spaniard featured for the full 90-minute in Spain’s friendly match.
Fulham, with one of the best defensive records in the top flight, have never won at Anfield and rarely looked like doing so this time.
But their dogged performance claimed only their second away point of the season and also secured their third goalless draw in eight visits to Anfield.
At least they had worked out how to contain a Liverpool side who lacked ideas and inspiration. Not even the return of Fernando Torres to the starting line-up helped much.
Benitez insisted his players must take collective responsibility.
He said: "We will always miss a player of Stevie's ability, but we did not beat Fulham because five or so players were all off form together.
"You cannot win games when that happens. He would have made a difference, yes, but it should not be an excuse.
"He is training now and I would expect that he would be fit to play against Marseille on Wednesday."
Fulham’s goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer pulled off to fine saves to denied Liverpool. A half chance fell to Robbie Keane where he fails to convert and smashed a shot straight at Schwarzer from eight yards out.
The Reds were turning the screw and the Fulham stopper had to be at his instinctive best again on 70 minutes when he pushed Dirk Kuyt's effort away after a volleyed cross from Albert Riera.
Dropping points at home wasn't an excused for missing some key players and the mid-week international friendlies. Rafa should always select his strongest eleven, not relying on those fresh legs and haven't started regularly. Hopefully, Rafa pulls his head together and get us through to the next round of Champions League.
The team:
Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher (c), Arbeloa, Riera, Leiva, Mascherano, Kuyt, Keane, Torres
Subs - Alonso, Babel, Benayoun, Cavalieri, Dossena, El Zhar, Hyypia
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Pantsill, Dempsey, Bullard, Murphy (c), Davies, Johnson, Zamora
Subs - Baird, Gera, Gray, Kallio, Nevland, Stoor, Zuberbuhler
Referee: M Halsey
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YNWA,
Red's Fury™
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