Shot-shy Liverpool draw a blank against Fulham

Liverpool's Premier League title challenge suffered an unexpected setback when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham on a frustrating afternoon at Anfield on Saturday.

Robbie Keane was guilty of a glaring miss for the second successive game as Rafa Benitez's side were forced to settle for a point.

With Chelsea being held by Newcastle those misses denied Liverpool a chance to move clear at the top of the table.

But it could have been much worse for the below-par hosts. Spain keeper Jose Reina produced a spectacular save to deny Jimmy Bullard from earning Fulham their first ever win at Anfield.

Despite watching his side win seven of the previous eight Premier League outings, Benitez had warned his players on the eve of the game that they are guilty of wasting too many chances.

Chelsea started the day with a far superior goal difference and with the title chase expected to be one of the tightest for years, the Liverpool manager is anxious to reduce the London club's 15-goal advantage.

Yet his words fell on deaf ears during a woeful game littered with mistakes.

Fernando Torres, free of the hamstring problems which have dogged him lately, was handed his first league start since October 5 while Jamie Carragher captained the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard, who was out with a thigh muscle strain.

Yet even the presence of Torres could not stir Liverpool, who produced one of their worst performances of the season.

They clearly missed Gerrard' midfield influence in a game which lacked energy or urgency.

Their opening 45 minute display was summed up by Keane's dreadful miss from close range.

Having been guilty of wasting a glorious chance from inside the six-yard area against Bolton, the Republic of Ireland striker should at least have tested the keeper this time, although Mark Schwarzer, Fulham's Australian stopper, pushing Keane's shot behind for a corner.

The miss threatened to be a costly one for the hosts.

Only a full-stretch save by Reina prevented Liverpool from falling behind after Bullard let fly in the 35th minute while former Everton striker Andy Johnson should have scored on his return to Merseyside after poor defending by the hosts.

Liverpool were only marginally better after half time, Torres twice going close to breaking the deadlock.

He sent a curling effort narrowly over the bar after linking well with strike partner Keane for the first time in the game before seeing a 51st minute effort hit the woodwork after a powerful run.

Benitez's day got worse when fans vented their displeasure at his decision to replace Javier Mascherano, instead of the ineffective Lucas Leiva, with Alonso in the 65th minute.

Dirk Kuyt was denied by the save-of-the-match by Schwarzer as Liverpool attempted a late rally, but that failed to mask a bitterly disappointing performance by the hosts.

Despite boasting one of the best home records in the top-tier, Hodgson's side had picked up just one point out of 15 on their travels this term with four of their five away defeats all by a single goal.

But hopes of a rare away win grew when Johnson found himself clean through on goal in the 71st minute only to lose his composure as Reina made a routine save after the striker rushed his shot.