Such was Liverpool’s dominance that Pepe Reina had barely touched the ball, let alone have a save to make, with just five minutes of the half remaining.

He would have even less to do after the break.

Liverpool started the second half as they did the first, on the attack.

Aquilani saw a dipping shot tipped over by Schwarzer before skewing another effort wide.

The Italian was again the main threat when another attempt deflected into the path of Rodriquez only for the linesman to rule him offside six yards out.

Agger saw a volley flash wide from just inside the area as Fulham continued to frustrate Liverpool.

Next, Babel forced another fine save from Schwarzer, this time diving low to his right after the Dutchman skipped away from Greening to power a shot to the near post.

Dirk Kuyt replaced Aquilani on 65 minutes as Benitez looks for a different option going forward.

Seven minutes later, Babel made way for Yossi Benayoun as Benitez looked to add some invention to find a way through Fulham’s stubborn resistance.

Kuyt dropped short to pick up a corner before turning and floating a ball to the back post. With Rodriguez steadying for the volley, Kyrgiakos took the initiative but managed only to head over the bar.

Fulham substitute Kagiso Dikgacoi threw his body in the way of a Dani Pacheco effort with five minutes to go. The young Spaniard had replaced Ngog five minutes earlier.

As tension mounted around Anfield, only Nevland remained forward for the visitors, who were content to cling on to a point.

For Liverpool, it was another two lost in a season that has fallen well short of expectation.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Babel (Benayoun 72), Mascherano, Aquilani (Kuyt 65), Gerrard, Rodriguez, Ngog (Pacheco 79) Subs: Cavalieri, Degen, Ayala, Lucas,

Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Baird, Nevland, Murphy (Dikgacoi 75), Duff, Hughes, Etuhu, Zamora (Okaka 68), Greening (Riise 82). Subs: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Smalling

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