"Tigers Can Be Safe " Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes Hull can avoid the drop despite his side picking up all 3 points in a 3-1 victory at the KC Stadium on Saturday. "I think Hull can be safe," said Benitez. "It'll be difficult for all the teams near the bottom because they'll play now with more nerves, more anxiety, but I think it will be a good battle - if you're not involved!

"But Hull have the potential to stay up."

Talking about the game itself, Benitez said: "I thought we deserved to win, so I am happy that we have the three points.

"It was a difficult game because Hull were working hard, but we have to be satisfied.

"In the first half I thought we were a little bit nervous because the pitch was terrible. It was dry, the grass was long and it was very difficult to pass the ball. But this is part of the game and you have to address these situations.

"We were trying to do our best and the second half was better. The sending off was clear, but credit to Hull, they kept pushing with only ten men.

"The free kick for the first goal was also very clear. If you look at the replay, Mascherano was going down and their player kicked him. The referee was right."