Hull v Liverpool Report
By Tiger Tim
December 15 2008
Hull travelled to Anfield having not lost in their last 4. Their also had a decent goal scoring Record against the so Called Big 4 having scored 5 goals in their meetings with the other 3 . It was now Liverpool's turn to face the phenomena which is Hull City. Liverpool were in pretty decent nick themselves and went into the game top of the table but had let points slip at home in recent games.
Hull didn't come looking for the draw as many though and Nick Barmby was playing an advanced role supporting Marlon King up top. Hull had an early shout for penalty Javier Mascherano Deflecting away a Barmby cross with his hand. Hull took the lead on 12 minutes, after a shaky start ,King Hung the ball into the back post and there was Paul McShane to head the ball in. Hull were happy to play on the counter and just ten minutes later found themselves 2-0 up. Bernard Mendy ran past Dossena crossed the ball into the box only for Jamie Carrager to put the ball into his own net.
Just 2 minutes later however Liverpool hit back through their inspirational captain Steven Gerrard. Dirt Kuyt sent a low cross into the box and Gerrard was there at the far post to stab the ball in from 6 yards out 2-1. 8 Minutes later and Gerrard made it 2-2, Benayoun volleys the ball to Gerrard who from ten yards out meets the ball on the bounce and hits it into the top corner. Having been pinned back to 2-2 Hull were not about to just lay down and die 2 minutes after the goal Geovanni stung the hands of Reina from the right.
Not looking to go behind for a third time Liverpool had chances of their own, Reira sending a shot just wide on 38 minutes. Gerrard,Benyoun and Reira were causing Problems all afternoon after the withdrawal of Mcshane who had blurred vision. Hull then became desperate for the Half time whistle to sound as Liverpool piled on the pressure. First Alonso sending a curling crashing against the post,Reira then went close has he saw an effort cleared off the line by Boateng. Hull did however manage to get through to half time with the score at 2-2 .
At the beginning of the second half Hull switched to a 4-5-1. A sign that their were playing for the draw? Liverpool still had the momentum going forward but it wasn't until the 57th minute Hull had their 1st scare of the half , a Gerrard cross shot free kick almost catching out Myhill at his back post. Liverpool Just kept piling on the pressure and on 63 minutes hit the post for the second occasion this time it was Sami Hypia who met the corner only to see his heading hit the wood work. As the game entered the last 15 minutes Liverpool again began to look dangerous , Alonso having a effort from 20 yards which went onto the roof of the net, Steven Gerrard then blasted over before Sami Hypia Headed wide from another Liverpool corner.
10 minutes left and Substitute El Zhar had a drive at goal which was saved at the second attempt by Myhill. That was to be the last real effort of the game as Hull hung on in the second half for a draw. Hull remain 6th in the table a position it appears their have been in for months well it certainly seems that way. Liverpool remain top but if their keep dropping points at home their wont remain there very long.
Manager Views
Phil Brown: "Having gone 2-0 up to then concede two goals against them, I'm aggrieved to be honest.
"You need to get the rub of the green when you come to Anfield, possibly we didn't have that.
"I've nothing but admiration for the way we got something from the game in the face of a lot of pressure. We're hard to beat."
Rafael Benitez:
"We started really well and we conceded two goals, two mistakes, but afterwards we showed character.
"We were too open. We know we've lost two points but you have to keep going. You cannot change things now."
Asked why he left Robbie Keane on the substitutes' bench as Liverpool went in search of the winner, Benitez added: "Using more people in the box is not a guarantee."
Teams and Stats
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Dossena,
Mascherano (Leiva Lucas 87), Alonso, Benayoun (El Zhar 74), Gerrard,
Riera (Babel 82), Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Keane, Ngog.
Booked: El Zhar, Hyypia, Alonso.
Goals: Gerrard 24, 32.
Hull: Myhill, McShane (Marney 27), Zayatte, Turner,
Ricketts, Mendy, Ashbee, Boateng (Halmosi 66), Geovanni, Barmby
(Windass 77), King.
Subs Not Used: Warner, Garcia, Cousin, Giannakopoulos.
Booked: McShane, Boateng, Marney.
Goals: McShane 12, Carragher 22 og.
Att: 43,835
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
| Liverpool | Hull City | |
| Goals | 2 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 3 |
| Shots off Target | 14 | 6 |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 3 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
