Fulham beats Liverpool 3-1 – Recap and Video Highlights – Saturday, October 31, 2009

Liverpool traveled to play Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday, October 31, 2009. After their huge win last weekend against Manchester United, Liverpool looks to continue their recent good form.

Fulham beats Liverpool 3-1 – Video Highlights

1st Half

Liverpool started out dominating possession and chances in the match. The first goal seemed imminent for the away side as Fulham struggled to get possession in the final third. Yossi Benayoun almost gave Liverpool the lead early in the first half as he hit the crossbar on a shot. The Reds attacked and created multiple chances but couldn’t convert any. Fulham would get one chance and take advantage as Bobby Zamora would score in the 24th minute.

It was a disappointing goal to concede from Liverpool who were leading possession by about 75-25 in the first 20 or so minutes. The goal gave a lift to Fulham who have been one of the best defensive sides in the EPL this and last season. Fulham started to get more chances as the first half as their confidence was high after grabbing the lead. The Fulham defense was disciplined and they were able to maintain their shape in the first half.

One mistake from Fulham late in the first half would lead to Liverpool finding the equalizer. A ball was sent in the box for Fernando Torres but too far. The Fulham defense failed to head it out and it fell to Torres who smashed a volley to the left corner past Schwarzer. It was one mistake and Torres capitalized. His form of late has been impressive and he’s converting almost any chance he gets. The first half ended at 1-1 on the Torres and Zamora goals.

2nd Half

Fulham made two changes at halftime as Duff and Kamara were out as Nevland and Gera were in. Liverpool continued to have more possession and chances but Fulham did not back down. Both teams had chances but couldn’t convert through 65 minutes. Liverpool struggled to find Torres in the second half as he didn’t have many touches. He was subbed out for Ryan Babel in the 63rd minute.

Liverpool’s inability to convert possession into great chances would hurt them again. Fulham would score on a great play in the 73rd minute as Konchesky sent a cross to the far post. It was headed off a bounced by Gera on goal and flicked into goal by Nevland. It was a great finish and well deserved as Fulham were playing solid throughout the match.

Fulham continued to attack after the goal and the Liverpool defense looked shaky in the final 15 or so minutes. Phillip Degen of Liverpool had a late tackle from behind on Clint Dempsey and was given a red card that all but dashed Liverpool’s hopes of coming back. It was in the 79th minute and possibly a bit harsh. The foul was definitely a yellow card but didn’t seem malicious enough for a straight red.

The Reds started to implode as Jamie Carragher was given a red card in the 82nd minute for a foul on Bobby Zamora. It was a clear foul and Liverpool were down to 9 men for the final 10 minutes. It was a meltdown from Liverpool who were in the match until the final 10-15 minutes.

Fulham would put the nail in the coffin of Liverpool with a goal from Clint Dempsey in the 87th minute. A long ball was sent into Zamora who headed it to Dempsey who then found Nevland in the box. Nevland took a touch and then passed it back to Dempsey who made a run into the box and was completely unmarked. The American was took a touch and easily beat Pepe Reina to the lower corner for a 3-1 Fulham lead.

The crowd was in full force at Craven Cottage for Fulham and could be heard chanting “we want four” in the final minutes. Fulham wouldn’t get another and it would end at 3-1.