RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football next season are effectively over – as the manager revealed fresh injury fears over Fernando Torres.

Torres was absent yesterday as the Anfield outfit fought out a frustrating and damaging home goalless draw with Fulham.

It was the first time in 15 months that Liverpool had failed to score in a home game with the result making it almost certain they will miss out on a Champions League berth for the first time during Benitez’s six-year reign.

Manchester City, who beat Birmingham City 5-1 yesterday, are now six points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand, with Benitez’s men having only four Premier League games remaining this season.

And although mathematically possible, the Spaniard accepts fourth place is now hugely unlikely after watching his team dominate against Fulham but draw a blank.

“Yes, it will be very difficult (to finish in the top four),” said Benitez. “It’s not in our hands. Maybe the difference is too much now. You have to be realistic.

“City have a game in hand and even if they don’t win then there’s Tottenham.

“But we have to keep going because it’s always important to do your best and finish as high as possible.

“We’ll try to win the rest of our games and also try to be ready for the Europa League.

“I’m disappointed because we had plenty of possession and some good chances. It’s a game that’d normally finish 1-0 or 2-0. But we couldn’t score.

“Two or three players played and those are the positives – Dani Pacheco came on and Alberto Aquilani started. These things can help for the rest of the games and the Europa League.”

Benitez was unhappy Fulham weren’t reduced to 10 men before the break when Jonathan Greening, who had already been booked by referee Andre Marriner, escaped censure following a cynical foul on Glen Johnson.