The 18th minute saw a yellow card for Greening when he brought down Mascherano. Konchesky headed away the kick from Gerrard. Liverpool were constantly stationed in the final third. Another twin corner to the Reds. Once again, not a quality header at the end of it from Babel. We have had 4 shots on goal till now, while Fulham haven't had any. Maxi has a glorious chance in the 23rd minute after squeezing in between the 2 centre-backs. His power shot is however well saved by Schwarzer. Babel's cross from the left flank was again met by Aquilani who couldn't place his header on target. The men at home are completely dominating the possession so far. There are no goals to show for the effort is what concerns the Anfield faithful.
A foul on Maxi resulted in another free kick in the 30th minute. Nothing arrives out of it but when the ball reached outside the box again, Mascherano has a powerful shot which is saved by Schwarzer at full stretch. That was clearly heading into the top left corner. Would go down as a very important save from the Australian if Liverpool don't manage 3 points from this game. Greening brings down Johnson on the right byline and he is already on a yellow. That's the final warning for him now. Ngog has superb ball holding skills and an eye for those needle-mouth passes. However, nobody seems to be reading him right now. Not even the rest of his team-mates.
Half time is approaching with Liverpool enjoying a better part of possession, while Fulham completely happy soaking up the pressure. Agger goes for a speculative left footer from all of 30 yards that flies over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Blackburn have held the team from Manchester coached by a certain "Typical" man. That game ended 0 - 0. Half time here at Anfield as well. Scores are tied at Nil-each. We have had 12 shots on goal so far, while Fulham have had 2.
Second half brought to life. Gerrard broke from the centre to find Maxi on the right. Maxi had a couple of crosses before the ball fell to Aquilani who could not connect a decent shot. However he had a wonderful attempt from the edge of the box. Schwarzer managed to tip it over the crossbar. Another left footer from the Italian just got a little bit sliced across the goal. The ball hasn't left the area around the Fulham box for more than 5 minutes. Such is the kind of pressure being applied by Reds. Maxi has misplaced a couple of good opportunities around the box. Johnson has been stationed in the final 40 yards of the pitch, regularly putting in crosses and switching play to the left flank for Babel to push inside the area. So much is the dominance, that Damien Duff is almost playing like the left-back for Fulham.
Johnson might do good by putting in early crosses around the 6-yard box. His attempts to dribble around 2 left backs hasn't given much results. Babel cuts in from the left flank and takes a shot that's again parried by the Australian. Kuyt comes on for Aquilani. That was pretty obvious. Gerrard will control the midfield and Kuyt will play up alongside Ngog. Game has picked up pace with both teams showing some urgency. Zamora was taken off in the 68th minute for Okaka. It appears Benayoun is going to end up on the left with Babel moving to the right flank. Murphy went feet first into Gerrard and never took the ball. Meant a yellow for the Fulham skipper. Oh its Babel who has been replaced by Benayoun. Its a free kick in a central location just outside the 18-yard box.
Thats it. Am trying to stop the curse thats attached to me.
You Will Never Walk Alone.
