Three goals for Sturridge, three points for Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge was Liverpool's star man as he netted an impressive hat-trick to put opponents Fulham to the sword in a lively end of season encounter at Craven Cottage. Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov headed Fulham in front on the half hour mark but Sturridge swiftly responded with a rifled right footed effort to level the scoreline before the break. He then found the net a further two times in the second half to secure three points for the Reds and the match ball for himself.

With Agger out injured and Skrtel sick, Wisdom and Coates- who was making his first appearance since his woeful display against Oldham in the FA Cup- started alongside captain for the day Jamie Carragher in a back three, as Brendan Rodgers conducted what turned out to be an unsuccessful experiment with a different formation. Jonjo Shelvey was also given a rare starting berth in midfield.

Philippe Coutinho, who has been in sensational form since signing from Inter Milan in January, was inspirational once again, running fellow new signing Daniel Sturridge close for the man of the match award. After 14 minutes he had the Reds' first effort on goal, firing straight at Schwarzer after rounding two Fulham players with some sumptuous skill.

As a whole, though, Liverpool struggled to get going during a first half that seemed typical of a end of season match with little riding on the outcome. Unused to the formation they were playing in, the visitors lacked attacking potency and Sturridge was often left isolated up front. Fulham were little better, but, nonetheless, the Londoners took the lead on the half hour mark.

Riether's cross found Dimitar Berbatov, who was criminally left unmarked in the penalty box, and the 32-year old Bulgarian headed beyond Reina to break the deadlock.

A closer look reveals Carragher's boot has fallen off as Berbatov evades him to head home

In previous seasons, Liverpool may have folded at that point and gone on to suffer a depressing defeat that only extenuates our end of season blues. However, encouragingly Rodgers' men instead picked themselves up and responded immediately, Sturridge equalising soon after Berbatov's opener. Wisdom made a good block in the box and then pumped a long ball forward to Sturridge, who skipped past Hughes before slamming home with his weaker right foot.

That assist did not prevent Rodgers replacing Wisdom with Enrique at the break, as the Merseysiders reverted to their ordinary 4-2-3-1 formation. It was slightly harsh on the youngster, who had performed competently, but a change in our shape was necessary to facilitate an improved second half display. 

Liverpool enjoyed a slice of luck, though, on the hour mark as Craven Cottage exploded in anger towards referee Mark Halsey when he rejected their legitimate penalty appeals after Ruiz's cross appeared to hit Lucas' hand. To rub salt into Fulham's wounds, only two minutes later Coutinho's scuffed shot fell perfectly in the path of Sturridge, who slotted home. It was a sequence of play that made Kopites believe it was going to be their day.

Sturridge slots home a second

Soon after, Sturridge had a great chance to seal his hat-trick as he broke clear of the Fulham defence and tried to beat Schwarzer, who denied him with a fine save. The former Chelsea man was arguably naive, however, in not squaring to Shelvey, who would have had a very simple tap in from yards out.

At the other end, Reina made a superb save to palm away Hughes' powerful header, before substitute Fabio Borini displayed some potential talent as he cut in from the left and then fired a shot against the inside of the far post. Ex-Red John Arne Riise received a raucous reception from the travelling Kop and then almost equalised, Reina getting down well to stop his free kick. 

Liverpool rounded off their win five minutes from time as their two star January signings combined to net a third for the away side. Coutinho's beautiful through ball put Sturridge in on goal and he showed composure to send the ball over Schwarzer and into the net. It was a wonderful finish and an exquisite move that bides well for the future and displays Rodgers' transfer acumen. 

Sturridge salutes the crowd after netting his first hat-trick

On a day when our rivals Manchester United and Everton gained all the headlines as their managers moved on to pastures new, it was a little disappointing to be enduring an anti-climatic end to the season yet again. However, an impressive performance, particularly in the second half, was pleasing and Liverpool's 38 away goals, their most in a Premier League season, is a sign of progress. 

The Reds must now produce a similar display at home to QPR on the final day of the 2012/2013 season next Sunday in order to gather momentum for next season, when they must look to realistically challenge for Champions League qualification right up until the final whistle.

YNWA