Hull City put on an excellent defensive performance on Saturday, taking a point off Liverpool at Anfield with a scoreless draw against the Reds. Liverpool had their chances to take full points, but a combination of strong play from Hull City and some bad luck conspired against Brendan Rodgers' side.
3 things we learned from Liverpool’s scoreless draw against Hull City
Hull City and Steve Bruce had a defensive plan that worked as they frustrated Liverpool and earned a point at Anfield.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren got the game's first good chance in the 9th minute when Steven Gerrard found him lurking at the top of the Hull City area. Lovren went for the far post, getting his shot past goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic only to see it cleared off the line by Ahmed Elmohamady.
That chance was the best opportunity for either team in the first half, though Liverpool had the better of possession and controlled the game ... they just could do anything with the advantage. Hull City deserved plenty of credit though for playing a well organized defense that frustrated Liverpool with aggressive pressing of the ball and those trying to do things with it. It led to plenty of turnovers by the Reds in the final third, thanks to poor touches, interceptions and timely blocks.
As the game dragged on though, Liverpool began to up the tempo and slowly cracks started to form in the Hull City defense.
Mario Balotelli came ever so close to a goal in the 64th minute when the Italian striker somehow missed a flicked-on ball right in front of goal. It was a brilliant chance for Balotelli but he simply went flying right past the ball. In the ensuing scramble, Raheem Sterling got a chance as well, firing a shot in from 20-yards out that Jakupovic was able to cover.
Balotelli was in the center of some controversy late as he went down in the box in the 88th minute with a bit of contact made upon him. While the Liverpool striker was convinced a foul had been committed, the referee was unconvinced and waved away his protest.
Jakupovic made a huge save in stoppage time, tipping a long distance shot from Philippe Coutinho over the bar.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel, Manquillo, Allen (Coutinho 61’), Gerrard, Can (Henderson 75’), Lallana (Lambert 61’), Baloteli, Sterling
Goals: None
Hull City: Jakupovic, Chester, Davies, Bruce, Brady, Diame (Meyler 86’), Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady, Ben Arfa (Aluko 71’), Hernandez (Ramírez 71’)
Goals: None
3 things
1. Liverpool really miss Daniel Sturridge — Liverpool's midfield is pretty solid and more than capable of taking over a game, especially against lesser competition. The problems start when they get into the attacking third and everything goes haywire. It's not like Mario Balotelli and Raheem Sterling aren't talented players, but for some reason things just aren't working. Maybe Sturridge doesn't magically solve the issues, but it sure can't hurt.
2. Liverpool don’t like to be pressed — Hull City did a masterful job pressuring the ball all day and making Liverpool’s life hard when they were on the ball. They contested every pass, didn’t give the Reds time to dribble or make decisions with the ball, it really was an excellent game plan that was well implemented.
3. Liverpool need something — Maybe it’s an attacking midfielder, maybe it’s a striker, whatever it is, they need it. They just lack a creative player with the ability to help them find a way through a compact and organized defense. You’d think with the likes of Coutinho, Gerrard, Balotelli and Sterling on the pitch, they should figure things out, but it wasn’t enough on Saturday.
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