Benitez tells Liverpool to sharpen up at Anfield

Rafa Benitez has admitted Liverpool cannot afford any more Anfield slip-ups if the Reds are to win the Premier League title.

Benitez and his players were left frustrated after dropping two points in a 0-0 draw with mid-table Fulham, a result which Benitez labelled as a lost opportunity after learning that title rivals Chelsea had also been held to a goalless draw by Newcastle.

Liverpool remain level on points with leaders Chelsea but Benitez could not mask his disappointment.

It is the second time this season Liverpool have carelessly allowed points to slip from their grasp against teams they are expected to beat at Anfield. In September Stoke also held Benitez's side to a surprise draw.

Liverpool would be four points clear at the top of the table if they had beaten both Stoke and Fulham, and Benitez is aware that his side cannot afford to drop any more points at home.

“It was a bad day. We didn't play well. We didn't have enough energy from the start and the passing wasn't good enough,” said Benitez.

“The other team did very well and had plenty of possession. Although we played bad we still had three chances.

“In the second half we started very well and had more energy and more intensity and more determination. We could have scored but really it's a pity.

“We got frustration and also when we arrived in the dressing room after the game we were told Chelsea had drawn and Arsenal had lost.

“For us it's an opportunity lost and also for Chelsea. They will think the same. Both of us will be frustrated.”

One of the few positives for Benitez was the performance of Fernando Torres on his first league start since October 5 after injury.

The Spanish international was denied by the woodwork and looked far more threatening than his strike partner Robbie Keane, who wasted a fine chance to score for the second successive game.

“Clearly Torres had the determination, but the team didn't play well and we didn't give him too many good balls,” added Benitez. “He had to create on his own and it was difficult.”

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes his team can put their poor away form behind them after pocketing only their second away point of the season.

Hodgson singled out Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer for praise after he produced fine saves to deny Keane and Dirk Kuyt.

“Quite a few times this season we have played well away from home only to concede a goal in the last five or ten minutes and gone home deflated,” Hodgson said.

“This time we have got a very good point against the potential champions of the country.

“I thought in the first half the two teams were quite even and we might have shaded the possession.

“But we knew that Liverpool would throw the kitchen sink at us after half time.

“I thought he (Schwarzer) was very confident throughout and made two very good saves.

“It's interesting because the three players I thought did really well, Schwarzer, John Pantsil and Brede Hangeland, had long journeys in midweek to play for their respective countries.

“I joked with them that if they can play that well every week then they are welcome to go away every week as well.”