February starts as badly as January was.
Sadio Mane made his first start for the reds after his return from African Cup of Nations duty - a boost to the team who have struggled with goals since the turn of the year.
The reds were forced into a defensive reshuffle with Dejan Lovren declared unavailable to due a knee injury. With Ragnar Klavan unwell the reds had to bring in Lucas Leiva to partner Joel Matip at the back.
From the outset the traditional gameplan from the opposition was clear. Defend with two banks tightly packed - the defence and midfield and leave it to Liverpool to try to break them down.
The reds enjoyed plenty of possession and had a shout for a possible penalty but there was little else of note for the reds.
In the 44th minute disaster struck. Liverpool gave away a cheap corner and from it Maguire was allowed the space to win the header. Mignolet hesitated, before weakly coming out to try and clear, allowing debutant Alfred N’Diaye an easy poke into the net from the edge of the 6 yard box.
Conceding the corner was poor but the Liverpool keeper simply should be stronger and more alert.
So the reds went into the half time break 1-0 down.
Liverpool had tried to mix up their match strategy - utilising more 40 yard direct balls as opposed to the intricate pass and move but it hadn't allowed them to break the deadlock.
There wasn't much more movement in the second half - although the reds should have equalised when they played ping pong across the Hull 6 yard box - Milner and Coutinho failing to trouble the keeper.
Mane had a solid chance with an early header in the half but Eldin Jakupović in the Hull goal managed to bat it away.
Emre Can was replaced by Daniel Sturridge as the reds tried to search for something from the game but all too often they panicked, overhitting crosses into the box and handing possession back to the homeside.
Liverpool brought on Origi for Lallana, Moreno for Milner - it was time to go gung-ho but they left the back door open. Ain the final insult Everton's on-loan player, Oumar Niasse, powered forward on a counter-attack and slid the ball past Mignolet to make it 2-0.
A very disappointing start to the month and Liverpool are now in serious danger of falling away from a top four place.