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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Dec 22, 2012 at 5.30pm UK
 
Fulham logo

4-0

Skrtel (8'), Gerrard (36'), Downing (51'), Suárez (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of Fulham's visit to Anfield to face Liverpool.
2

Liverpool continued their recent run of form over Fulham by putting them to the sword at Anfield this evening.

Goals from Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing and Luis Suarez saw the Reds comfortably to a 4-0 victory, lifting them into eighth place.

You can read how the action unfolded with us below.


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Good evening! Welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of today's late kickoff in the Premier League, which pits Liverpool against Fulham.

Liverpool lost both fixtures to Fulham last season, and have failed to beat the Cottagers on three of their last four visits to Anfield.

Liverpool were shocked by Aston Villa last time out, and are now looking to avoid a back-to-back defeats.

Let's have some team news...

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Shelvey, Suso, Suarez, Downing

So Brendan Rodgers goes for an attacking trident of Suso, Suarez and Downing. Lucas, Gerrard and Shelvey form the midfield trio, while Enrique drops back into his familiar role at left full-back.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Riise, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Richardson, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Dejagah, Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov probably won't get ther greatest of receptions, being a former Manchester United player. But the threat he poses going forward could certainly prove to be Liverpool's undoing this evening. Alex Kacaniklic and Girogos Karagounis will provide support from midfield.

Karagounis, of course, was a great player. Was. If he can recapture the form that helped Greece to win the 2004 European Championships, then the Liverpool defence will have a tough task ahead of them.

As already stated, Liverpool have only beaten Fulham once in their last four meetings. Even more embarrassingly, no Liverpool player has scored against Fulham, despite their one win, which came via John Paintsil's own goal in January of 2011.

Brendan Rodgers boasts a 100% winning record against Fulham, emerging victorious on both occasions against the Cottagers when in charge of Swansea City last season.

The players are making their way out onto the pitch and we're just moments away from kickoff.

Liverpool get this game underway...

Fulham have set up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Berbatov up top on his own. Jol has clearly opted to pack the midfield, with Chris Baird sitting in the central role to break up play.

Enrique tries to force his way through the Fulham backline and wins a corner.

Agger steers his header over the bar.

Enrique fires the ball across the box but no Red shirt on hand to tuck it away.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Fulham (Skrtel)

The ball fell to Skrtel from a corner, and the centre back produced a finish of great quality. He smashed it beyond Schwarzer and into the top corner, giving the Aussie no chance.

SHOT! Downing has a poop but it whistles just wide of the post!

Liverpool are absolutely in the ascendancy. Fulham are yet to make an impact on this contest.

Riether is hobbling. Senderos is warming up.

Downing tries to fire one into the box but to no avail. Liverpool are looking comfortable here.

Gerrard's corner is cleared. Liverpool retain possession and Downing sends a high-hanging cross into the area, but Schwarzer claims the ball in his arms.

Suarez tries one from distance but it's far wide of Schwarzer's goal.

MISS! Agger misses a sitter! Suarez was a ferret in the box, and managed to clip the ball for the Dane to dispatch into a virtually open goal... but he fires miles over the bar!

Richardson has a dig from long range and Reina is forced to save with his legs. The ball moved in the air.

Richardson sends a long free kick into the box but no Fulham shirt can get on the end of it. It was a decent delivery.

Liverpool are still well in control of this contest, but all it takes is one goal...

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Fulham (Gerrard)

A really good move by Liverpool, finished off by their skipper. Downing got the assist, and it's well deserving. Liverpool in full control.

Suso drags his left-footed effort wide of Schwarzer's game.

Fulham have offered very little in the attacking third today and have been overwhelmed by Liverpool's midfield. The Reds haven't even needed to be that good, just efficient. Not a very good showing from Martin Jol's men.

Half time: Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Liverpool go into the break deserved 2-0 leaders. Fulham have offered very little resistance.

The Reds have enjoyed 61% of possession in the first half, while mustering four shots on target from 11 tries. Meanwhile, Fulham have had one effort on target from two... still, 50%....

Premier League results:

Wigan 0-1 Arsenal

Man City 1-0 Reading

Newcastle 1-0 QPR

Southampton 1-0 Sunderland

Spurs 0-0 Stoke

West Brom 2-1 Norwich

West Ham 1-2 Everton

So a win tonight would see Liverpool stay in eighth, but they would go within one point of Chelsea, who started the day in third. Tottenham Hotspur and Everton both won, meaning that they occupy places in the top four.

Fulham kickoff the second half...

Fulham substitution: Hugo Rodallega comes on to replace Alex Kacaniklic.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Fulham (Downing)

The winger cut inside from the right and fired home with his left. Schwarzer might have perhaps done better, but it's 3-0 to the Reds.

It's been all too easy for Liverpool. A walkover, if you like...

That's Downing's first Premier League goal for the club. It's been a long time coming.

Fulham substitution: Kerim Frei comes on for Kieron Richardson.

Shelvey has the ball inside the area, but his shot is blocked by Hangeland.

Suso makes a crunching challenge on Karagounis.

Fulham just can't find a way through Liverpool's defence. The Reds look sturdy at the back.

Dejagah twists and turns inside the Liverpool area and nearly creates something of nothing, but Reina palms away his cross.

Suso's high ball into the box is dealt with by the Fulham defence. There'a a bit of a lull in the game as the Cottagers try to press forward, but with very little success.

Johnson has a dig, but Schwarzer sees it wide.

WOW! Downing lets fly from around 25 yards out and it looks destined for the top bin... but it whistles just ast the post! So close!

Suso makes way for Raheem Sterling

Liverpool substitution: Joe Allen comes on for Jonjo Shelvey.

He's had a decent game, Shelvey. Not long for Liverpool until they see out a comfortable victory...

CLAIMS FOR A PENALTY! Sterling goes down under Baird's challenge but the referee isn't interested!

CHANCE! The ball falls to Gerrard but Schwarzer repels his effort!

There's movement on the Liverpool bench, as Jamie Carragher looks ready to enter the field of play...

Liverpool substitution: Lucas Leiva makes way for Jamie Carragher.

Fulham are making an attempt to get forward, but with very little success. Liverpool look comfortable, and are waiting for the final whistle.

Suarez tires to jink his way into the box and wins a corner.

GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Fulham (Suarez)

And there is Suarez's goal. It was a brilliant finish from the Uruguayan, who has been stifled for most of the evening. Liverpool coasting to victory...

Full time: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham

It's a comfortable victory for Liverpool. Martin Jol will no doubt be disappointed with his team's performance. The Reds move into seventh place.

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