And Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was pleased with the performance of his team in ensuring Liverpool failed to score at home for the first time in 38 games.

“It was a sterling defensive performance against a very good team,” said Hodgson. “There’s no doubt Liverpool dominated and we were forced on to the back foot.

“But we fought our corner well and there was only the chance when Kyrgiakos got away from our defenders that I thought the ball may hit the back of our net. And when Schwarzer had to make some saves he managed that.

“To come to Anfield and get a clean sheet, I have to be very pleased with the way we have played, especially coming back from a European game.

“To get four points from Liverpool in a season shows how far we have come.

“We didn’t play as well as we can do and we lacked a bit of quality.

“But if I was critical of my team after the tough week we have had then I would be being very harsh on my players and I’m not going to do that.

“I have to admit Liverpool were the better team and if anybody was going to win, it was going to be them.”