Fowler's first opens the floodgates for Liverpool

The scoreline may have flattered Liverpool somewhat, but then Robbie Fowler, in particular, would say that he is due his fair share of luck.

Having had three “goals” disallowed since returning to Merseyside in January, the wait finally ended last night as Fowler’s sixteenth minute strike put Liverpool on course for a victory that keeps them within sight of Manchester United in the race for second place in the Barclays Premiership. It was Fowler’s ninth game since his move from Manchester City, but eager not to be outshone by their team-mate, Fernando Morientes claimed his first goal since December 10 before Peter Crouch grabbed only his second of the year and Stephen Warnock his first for the club in stoppage time.

Fulham had threatened to make a game of it when Collins John cancelled out Fowler’s strike in the first half, but an own goal by Michael Brown proved costly and the away side’s frustration spilled over at the final whistle when John was booked following an ugly clash with Steven Gerrard and Luis García.

Benítez’s relief was palpable, even if a relatively fortuitous five-goal haul is unlikely to bring an end to calls for the manager to sign a world-class striker in the summer.

Michael Owen played down talk of a return to Anfield yesterday, the England forward insisting he was “happy” at Newcastle United, but a move remains a possibility, even if Benítez is likely to explore other options first.

“It was a fantastic day for the strikers and the team,” Benítez said. “The strikers got three [of the goals] and there was an assist for [Djibril] Cissé. They all needed to score and maybe now we’ll finish this talk [about their lack of goals].

“I hope this gives them confidence and it will be more difficult for me to select the team now they have scored goals. It was important Robbie got his first goal, he has been working hard, but while I understand you must talk about Robbie, Crouch and Morientes did very well as well.”

On the issue of his contract, Benítez was less forthcoming, although it is understood he has agreed to sign a one-year extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until 2010. “We are talking, I’m happy, and it’s not a problem,” he said. “My relationship with the fans is amazing.” The chaos and confusion that greeted the departure of two directors at Fulham this week seemed to extend to the pitch for much of the first half as the visitors were engulfed by red shirts, but for a brief while, at least, it looked as though Liverpool’s profligacy in front of goal would spare Chris Coleman’s side.

Morientes was presented with an ideal opportunity to break a goal drought that had run to a remarkable 1,036 minutes by the time Fowler threaded a perfectly weighted ball into his path, but the striker’s shot was feeble and easily smothered by Tony Warner. Step up Fowler.

A corner by Harry Kewell was glanced on by García leaving Fowler with the simplest of headers, although to judge by Coleman’s response on the touchline, it came as no surprise to see the England forward find the net. Fulham, after all, were the opponents when Fowler scored on his Liverpool debut 13 years ago, and again when he bagged five on his Anfield debut soon after.

Bizarrely, the goal seemed to inspire Fulham, rather than Liverpool, and in the 25th minute, John latched on to Mark Pembridge’s defence splitting pass and rammed the ball under the legs of José Manuel Reina to become the first opposition player to score at Anfield since Gérémi found the net for Chelsea on October 2.

Liverpool regained their advantage when Brown turned in Kewell’s dangerous cross, before the home side ran away with it late on, but not before Steed Malbranque had given Benítez a scare when he lashed the ball against the side netting from close range shortly after the interval.