Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was somewhat rueful that his side missed the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League and defended his decision to select Lucas ahead of Xabi Alonso.
The Reds were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield, as they lacked the thrust which has been so evident in the opening couple of months of the season.
Alonso was left on the bench and was sorely missed, as Liverpool toiled in front of their own fans.
Benitez admitted it was a disappointing showing, but felt justified in selecting the ineffective Lucas.
"It was a bad day. We weren't playing well, we didn't have enough energy and we did not pass well," said the Red's boss speaking on the club's official website.
The extent of the damage was not known until the final whistle, when it became clear that other teams challenging for the top prize also fared poorly, as he explained: "We are disappointed because when we got to the dressing room we were told that Chelsea drew and Arsenal lost."
However, he defended his somewhat controversial decision to play Lucas in midfield at the expense of the more experienced Alonso, who is in a rich vein of form.
"We tried to use two or three players with fresh legs but you could see three or four players didn't have the energy. Lucas was selected as he had fresh legs."
The Reds were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield, as they lacked the thrust which has been so evident in the opening couple of months of the season.
Alonso was left on the bench and was sorely missed, as Liverpool toiled in front of their own fans.
Benitez admitted it was a disappointing showing, but felt justified in selecting the ineffective Lucas.
"It was a bad day. We weren't playing well, we didn't have enough energy and we did not pass well," said the Red's boss speaking on the club's official website.
The extent of the damage was not known until the final whistle, when it became clear that other teams challenging for the top prize also fared poorly, as he explained: "We are disappointed because when we got to the dressing room we were told that Chelsea drew and Arsenal lost."
However, he defended his somewhat controversial decision to play Lucas in midfield at the expense of the more experienced Alonso, who is in a rich vein of form.
"We tried to use two or three players with fresh legs but you could see three or four players didn't have the energy. Lucas was selected as he had fresh legs."
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