The memory of the 8-0 trashing of Besiktas quickly evaporated as Liverpool struggled to break down a resolute and well organized Fulham side. Having camped in the opposing half for the majority of eighty minutes, the game looked set to wind down to another disappointing goal. But then popped up Fernando Torres to score a great goal and give Liverpool the win that they deserved.

Frustratingly, the international break will see Benitez lose most of his players just as soon as they were finally regaining their form.

Good Game
Untroubled for long stretches, Pepe Reina had to be alert to make two reflex saves denying Fulham from taking an undeserved lead. Rumours are that Scott Carson is on his way to Aston Villa and today’s showing by Reina shows why there is no room for the young English keeper.

Jamie Carragher was his usual calm self today, although the tendency to hack the ball away has to be addressed, but he was more than overshadowed by his partner Sami Hyppia. I’ve been critical of him lately, yet on this occasion he was excellent and he needed to be. Despite being happy with a draw, Fulham were always quick to break forward but too often their moves fizzled out at the feet of the big Finn. Man of the Match.

It was another very good game for Alvaro Arbeloa who allies good defensive skills – I lost count of the number of perfectly timed tackles to win the ball when a Fulham player looked set to break through – and the ability to cause damage up front.

For Fabio Aurelio, it was another quite game as he gets back his match sharpness. His fantastic free kick midway through the half deserved to go in.

Javier Masscherano did a lot of tidying up in midfield but also his fair share of prompting attacks. So did Yossi Benayoun who has already shown that, creatively, he is a more than adequate replacement for Luis Garcia without giving the ball away half as much as the Spaniard did.

Almost frightened by the thought to dropping further points Steven Gerrard at times tried to win this on his own. His drive and pure talent is, however, what gives Liverpool class in midfield.

It wasn’t an excellent game by Peter Crouch, yet he played fairly well hitting the crossbar and winning the penalty that sealed the result. Andriy Voronin wanted to score a goal for his new born son something that he failed to on this occasion but, even so, his enterprise and effort marks this as another good game.

Bad Game
It pains to have to chose John Arne Riise again but he was lethargic again against Fulham failing to make any headway on the left.

Substitutes
That is why you pay ₤23 million. Fernando Torres came on and promptly scored a great goal. What more can you ask for. Ryan Babbel once again showed flashes of his talent and set Crouch on his way to win the penalty. Frustratingly, however, he has a tendency to run into opposing defenders