2 May 2012

Liverpool miss out on morale-boosting win

2:41 pm on 2 May 2012

Liverpool's hopes of a morale-boosting win ahead of their FA Cup final have been dashed, losing 1-0 at home to Fulham in their English Premier League football match.

A fifth-minute own goal by defender Martin Skrtel gifted Fulham their first ever win at Anfield, and the Londoners are now equal on points with Liverpool and are only behind the Merseysiders because of an inferior goal difference.

The result also improves Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton's chances of finishing above Liverpool in the competition for the first time since 2005, after the Toffees drew 1-1 at Stoke City, putting them three points above Liverpool with two rounds remaining.

A Peter Crouch own goal gave seventh-placed Everton a first half lead, but that was later cancelled out by a second half equiliser from Stoke substitute Cameron Jerome.

With the weekend's FA Cup final against Chelsea in mind, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish made nine changes to the team which beat Norwich last round.