Liverpool slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Fulham as they followed up their win over Manchester United with a fifth loss in 11 Premier League matches.
With the Reds already struggling with injury and illness, Fernando Torres – who scored a first-half equaliser – limped off injured, while Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen were shown straight red cards to plunge Liverpool into a defensive crisis and nine points behind Chelsea.
Bobby Zamora put the hosts ahead 23 minutes in but Liverpool dominated possession and Torres equalised before half-time.
But, after Torres went off, substitute Erik Nevland back-heeled the Whites in front and, when Degen was harshly dismissed and Carragher sent off for a professional foul, Clint Dempsey extended the lead late on.
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