Liverpool will be looking to put their
Champions League lesson at the hands of Real
Madrid behind them as they go in search of
their third consecutive league win, whilst Hull
City are looking for another positive result
after coming away with a draw at Arsenal last
weekend.
To be played on Saturday 25th October 2014
at 15:00. Venue: Anfield, Liverpool.
Odds: Liverpool 5/11, Draw 15/4, Hull City
7/1
Last season: 2-0
Preview & injury news
Given that Liverpool have had something of a
stuttering start to the season, they aren't too
badly placed. There may be an element of
fortune in that as they go in search of third
consecutive league win against Hull City at
Anfield on Saturday afternoon, as they look to
put the disappointing result against Real
Madrid at home behind them. The Reds are
currently fifth, level on points with West Ham
United who occupy fourth place and face a
difficult task against Manchester City this
weekend - so this weekend presents an
opportunity for the Reds to make their league
position look much healthier - especially with
Manchester United and Chelsea playing each
other the following day.
Hull City will be on a high going into this, but
with a tinge of disappointment, and will be the
fresher of the two sides going into this
encounter. They got an impressive draw at the
Emirates Stadium but it could have been more
if Danny Welbeck hadn't found a late equaliser
against the targets who have made a solid
start to the season again after a busy summer
from Steve Bruce. If they were to leave Anfield
with a famous victory, they could leapfrog
their opponents in the table.
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The two sides have conceded 25 goals
between them so far this season, so it's
doubtful this one is going to end in a goalless
draw.
On the injury front, Liverpool are still without
Daniel Sturridge after he suffered another
injury setback ahead of last weekend's trip to
Queens Park Rangers, meaning there is a little
bit of uncertainty over who will start up front
for the home side after Mario Balotelli's
disappointing performances of late. Mamadou
Sakho is sidelined with a thigh problem whilst
Jon Flanagan isn't due back until at least
December with a knee problem.
Hull City have something of a goalkeeping
crisis ahead of Saturday with Allan McGregor
sidelined with a shoulder problem, and Steve
Harper tore a bicep in the draw against
Arsenal. As a result one of Rory Watson or Joe
Cracknell will have a place on the bench from
the development squad. Eldin Jakupovic is
likely to start in goal. There are injury worries
over Michael Dawson who limped off against
Arsenal with an ankle problem and Nikica
Jelavic who has a knee problem.
Key stats
Possession
Percentage
%
Accurate
passes
Total
attempts
per
game
%
Tackles
Won
Error
Lead
To
Shot
Played
Liverpool 54.25 84.05 15.88 76.25 5 8
Hull City 44.38 79.48 9.88 78.57 1 8
The statistics suggest that Liverpool will have
the Lions' share of the play and be the more
threatening going forward, given that they lead
on possession, accurate passing and scoring
attempts per game. Hull City, however, seem
to be a bit more solid at the back, despite
conceding one more goal than their opponents
this weekend in terms of winning tackles, and
errors leading to shots. Liverpool may find a
way through, but they don't want to produce
more errors, whilst Hull may well be patient
and wait for their opportunities.
5 players to watch
Philippe Coutinho - After his match-winning
cameo against Queens Park Rangers, and his
performance against Real Madrid which saw
him applauded off by the Spaniards in the
crowd, Coutinho seems to be rediscovering
some of his best form. After being substituted
early in the loss to Madrid, Liverpool may be
looking to their playmaker to provide some
more magic this weekend.
Mohamed Diame - Diame seems to be thriving
in his preferred role under Steve Bruce, and
has something of a knack when it comes to
scoring against the top sides. Another goal
would do nicely for the visitors here, but they
will face up against an energetic midfield.
Rickie Lambert - Brendan Rodgers has an
interesting decision to make given the form of
Mario Balotelli. Does he take him out of the
firing line and start Lambert, or does he
persist with him? It wouldn't be surprising to
see Lambert to play at least some role this
weekend.
Tom Huddlestone - If Hull are to leave Anfield
with a good result, they are going to have to
look after the ball. Last season Huddlestone
did that well when they met in at the KC
Stadium, and they will be looking for a similar
job from their central midfielder again.
Martin Skrtel - The Slovakian has looked
uncertain at centre-back, then again so has
the rest of the defence, but there have been
times when he has been losing battles in the
area, mistiming his tackles and looking lost at
times. The Reds could do with Skrtel
discovering some form quickly as they look to
tighten up at the back.
Last time they met
#459947369 / gettyimages.com
Liverpool 2-0 Hull City, January 2014, Premier
League
Liverpool were coming into this game on the
back of two consecutive defeats over the
Christmas period and looking to avenge their
defeat at the KC Stadium only a month earlier
in the first game of 2014. Both sides were
feeling the effects of the festive period and
Liverpool took the lead in the first half
through a Daniel Agger header from a corner.
Shortly after the half time break, Luis Suarez
scored his 20th league goal of the season
with a trademark free kick, and it was later
revealed he played with a foot injury. Hull
didn't have much to offer in reply as Philippe
Coutinho could have made it three only to be
denied by Allan McGregor after a wonderful
solo run, as the Reds moved back up into the
top four.

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