Liverpool’s chances of fourth place in the EPL, and Champions League qualification are slim after this stalemate with fellow Europa League semi-finalists Fulham.

They are now six points off fourth, with four fixtures remaining. And even madly optimistic Reds boss Rafa Benitez admitted afterwards that it would be “difficult” to close that gap.

Liverpool dominated - Fulham had only one shot, Damien Duff firing right-footed at Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina in the 91^st minute.

But they missed top-scorer Fernando Torres, out with a recurrence of his long-term knee problems.

And most of Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer’s good work was saving well-struck medium-to-long range efforts.

£22m Alberto Aquilani was at the centre of most of Liverpool’s good work, so naturally he was substituted by Benitez on 65 minutes.

He created Liverpool’s best of numerous first-half chances, sending Maxi Rodriguez in on goal only for Schwarzer to gather the Argentine’s left-foot shot.

Aqualini could have broken the deadlock after half-time, having a shot tipped over before his left-foot shot from the corner flew inches wide with the Fulham custodian beaten.

Schwarzer also denied Ryan Babel before centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos headed over from close range, as Liverpool ran out of ideas and time.