Liverpool 0 Fulham 0:Liverpool had no Steven Gerrard to rescue them this time, and not even Fernando Torres could fashion a victory against a spirited Fulham. Anfield's skipper is renowned for his late, late shows but without  him the hosts looked pretty ordinary at times.

Mark Schwarzer made fine saves from Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt and Lucas but Fulham deserved their point.

Torres returned to the Liverpool line-up for the visit of Fulham — his first start since the October 5 win at Manchester City.

But Liverpool were without Gerrard due to a torn groin muscle that also kept him out of England's victory over Germany in midweek.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez rested Xabi Alonso to the bench while Fulham retained the side that beat Tottenham last weekend.

With Gerrard out it was a surprise Benitez opted to also leave out Alonso, in outstanding form this season. It meant he had two holding players in Lucas and Javier Mascherano in central midfield, and a lack of creativity.

Liverpool started at pace but the opening exchanges produced just one decent chance.

Fabio Aurelio's 40-yard crossfield pass picked out Alvaro Arbeloa, and his lay-off was side-footed just wide by Dirk Kuyt after four minutes.

Fulham had been threatening from set-plays and the movement of Bobby Zamora, before Liverpool had their best chance of the opening half to take the lead.

Fabio Aurelio's ball in from the left looked to deflect off Torres and then Jimmy Bullard before falling for Robbie Keane after 29 minutes. But Mark Schwarzer was out bravely to get his body in the way of the Irishman's eight-yard shot.

Then it was Jose Reina that kept Liverpool level. Referee Mark Halsey played excellent advantage after 34 minutes when Aurelio clattered into Clint Dempsey.

But Zamora raced away down the right, reached the line, before laying the ball back for Bullard to fire in a fine effort from the edge of the box that the Spanish goalkeeper turned away at full-stretch.

Liverpool were much sharper after the break and when Keane's pass found Torres, the Spaniard curled a fine shot just over the far angle.

Then after 50 minutes Torres surged past John Pantsil to lash in an angled effort that Schwarzer palmed away.

The crowd had been calling for Alonso's introduction from the half-hour mark, and as Liverpool's drive slowed and frustration crept in, the midfielder's name boomed down from the Kop.

Benitez answered the chorus after 64 minutes, taking off Mascherano and sending on the Spaniard.

After 69 minutes Albert Riera's cross was met on the full by Kuyt, but Schwarzer made a fine save to his left.

Liverpool then sent on Ryan Babel in place of Riera after 78, with Nabil El Zhar taking over from Kuyt four minutes later. Fulham sent on Zoltan Gera for Clint Dempsey after 84 minutes.

Liverpool were looking ragged now, spent of ideas, and even Alonso fired high over after being set-up by Babel.