Steven Gerrard scored two first half goals after Hull had taken a quick 2-0 lead to ensure the reds got at least a point from this game, another draw at Anfield that should have been all three points.
Robbie Keane found himself back on the bench, and Dossena kept his place over Insua. Hyypia returned to the back line in place of Agger. The reds once again opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation after the mid-week attacking adventure of 4-4-2.
Far be it for little old me to be critical of this, but at home – against weaker opposition – we have already seen countless times this season that this formation is nowhere near adventurous enough. The substitutions were baffling – no throwing caution to the wind. Babel replacing Riera who had been very effective, and a last minute change of Lucas for Mascherano. Bizarre stuff.
But back to the game.
Hull are a decent attacking side and it was refreshing to see a side coming to Anfield and making a game of it. It wasn’t refreshing seeing them go ahead with a header after they out-jumped Dossena and then doubling their lead when Dossena was turned by Mendy, allowing a cross right across the face of our goal which Carragher promptly put in to his own net.
As is usual, the reds suddenly decided they were in a game and it was Gerrard who scored two quick goals to pull the reds back in to the game. A Kuyt cross landed for Gerrard who fired in from inside the penalty box. Minutes later and Benayoun turned a pass Gerrard’s way who fired the equaliser home.
Liverpool had opportunites to get the third before half time but some stout defending from Hull kept the reds at bay.
The reds dominated the second half from start to finish but the quality up front was notably absent. Keane warmed up and down the touchline but El Zhar, Babel and even Lucas we’re sent on in his place.
It wasn’t to be and time ran out from Liverpool who dropped another 2 points in the title race. The reds are still top – but are unlikely to be by the end of the weekend.
Post Match Reaction
Rafa Benitez
“We showed character to come back and scored some good goals. But we couldn’t play the final pass properly and the game was too open.
“The game was a little bit too frenetic and you have to be able to control things a lot more in these games.
“I was really pleased with the first few minutes. But we conceded two goals and everybody was a little bit nervous after that.
“It can make a massive difference when you score first, but the reaction of the team was very good when we went two goals down.
“They were a threat playing on the counter-attack. We know that teams like this will try to be organised and play in this way.
“We made too many mistakes. These are the kind of games that you have to win. We are disappointed, but we cannot change anything.”
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Riera (Babel 82), Alonso, Mascherano (Leiva 87), Benayoun (El Zhar 75), Gerrard (captain), Kuyt,
Subs not used: Agger, Ngog, Cavalieri, Keane
Goalscorers: Gerrard (24, 32)
Yellow Cards: Hyypia, El Zhar, Alonso
Hull City: Myhill, McShane (Marney 25), Turner, Zayette, Ricketts, Barmby (Windass 77), Ashbee (captain), Boateng (Halmosi 67), Mendy, King.
Subs not used: Warner, Garcia, Cousin, Stelios
Goalscorers: McShane (12) Carragher OG (22)
Yellow Cards: McShane, Marney
Referee: A Wiley
Watch the goals here
Match Thread and post match discussion here
Match Stats
Liverpool Possession: 67%. Shots: 27 (On target = 5 ). 435 accurate passes. 67 bad passes.
Hull Possession: 33% Shots: 11 (On target = 3). 156 accurate passes. 39 bad passes.
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