Following their thrilling victory over Manchester United at Anfield last Sunday, we were led to believe that Liverpool’s season had turned the corner and there was nothing but blue skies ahead for Rafa Benitez and his merry band of Merseysiders.

With that victory the Reds brought to an end one of their worst periods in recent years. Hard to believe then, that just six days on, they have been put to the sword again twice, at Arsenal in midweek and again on Saturday to a wonderful Fulham side.

Under-pressure Rafael Benitez endured another day to forget as nine-man Liverpool crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers are a different proposition this season under Roy Hodgson, and goals from Bobby Zamora, Erik Nevland and Clint Dempsey earned Fulham three deserved points.

The former West Ham striker was on hand to slide home from close range following a clever pass from Damien Duff, although Fernando Torres equalized with a stunning twenty-yard volley just before the break.

But the Spaniard was substituted in the second half and Fulham’s own replacement, Nevland, restored the home team’s lead with an audacious header through a crowd of players midway through the second period. Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher both saw red within three minutes for professional fouls before American international Dempsey rubbed salt in the Reds’ wounds with a sublime finish in front of an exposed Jose Reina.

It would appear then, particularly with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United steaming ahead at the top of the Premier League, and Manchester City set to join them following games in hand, that Rafa Benitez’s side may have trouble breaking into the Fantastic Four this season, let alone winning the Premier League.

Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Lyon in midweek, and the prospect of seven defeats in their last eight outings.

The enormity of the task facing Liverpool became evident as Chelsea moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League, ahead of Manchester United’s late Saturday contest with Blackburn, thanks to a second 4-0 win over Bolton.

Carlo Ancelotti's side did not have things all their own way at the Reebok Stadium, but they took a turn for the better just before halftime through Frank Lampard's penalty after Jlloyd Samuel saw red for his challenge on Didier Drogba. The Ivorian was clearly impeded from behind, but went down all too easily under the challenge.

Deco netted the second on the hour mark and Zat Knight scored an own goal before Drogba completed the scoring with a fine finish in injury time.

Robbie Keane fired the first shot across their bows and his manager Harry Redknapp echoed the Irishman‘s comments, but both Tottenham principals were left with egg on their faces on Saturday as Arsenal left their north London rivals in the dust at the Emirates Stadium.

Robin van Persie struck twice to earn his side bragging rights and put a question mark over Spurs’ ability to sustain a top-four challenge in the Premier League. The White Hart Lane club have not won a league game against Arsenal since 1999, and they fell away on Saturday after Van Persie opened the scoring and Cesc Fabregas added the second after winning possession straight from the kick-off.

Both sides went into the weekend level on points, albeit with Spurs playing a game extra, but talk of the gap between the clubs being closed was well and truly ended when Van Persie tapped in the third after the break.