Liverpool were given a very harsh lesson by the current European Champions Real Madrid on Wednesday night as they were humbled 3-0 at Anfield. The only saving grace about the match was they drew the second half 0-0 but the gulf in class was huge. Back to the Premier League and they are looking to move into the top four for the first time this season. Their last league game was an incredible one as there were four goals scored after the 88th minute with the Reds eventually winning 3-2 over QPR. What is apparent from both those games is their inability to defend. It’s been a theme under Brendan Rodgers and despite spending over £40m on defenders this summer; the situation seems to be getting worse rather than better.
Following a very successful season last time around, which culminated in an appearance at Wembley for the FA Cup final, it was always going to be difficult for Hull to reach a similar level. Credit to Steve Bruce and his players, however, as they have performed with credit throughout the start to this season, none more so than when holding Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates last weekend. It was their fourth draw of the campaign and combined with a couple of wins it sees them sitting eleventh. Their two defeats in the league have came at home to Man City and away to Aston Villa, illustrating how competitive they have been. Although conceding a goal very late on in that draw with Arsenal, they will take great confidence from it ahead of facing a fragile Liverpool team.
Although they defended poorly and were brushed aside by Real in midweek, the major talking point has been the performance of Mario Balotelli. Not only was he subbed during half-time after a non-existent first half display, he was criticised for swapping shirts on his way off with Pepe. It’s fair to say that his short stay on Merseyside has been instantly forgettable in footballing terms, but as ever with Mario, he’s still making plenty of headlines.
Key to Hull’s consistent start to this season has been the partnership of strikers Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic. The two have combined for seven goals in the league and have struck up a great understanding in a short space of time. The two have been central to Hull’s attacking threat which looks much more dynamic this season than at any time in the last few seasons. Their link-up play is likely to be crucial as they look to trouble another of the top sides away from home.
Rodgers will have to galvanise his players after their emphatic defeat on Wednesday but they have been more consistent in the league in recent weeks. Hull highlighted how well they can match up against the better sides in this league by scoring two goals in each of their games against City and Arsenal, and I think they’ll have enough to net against a Liverpool defence who have looked far from assured this season.
Both teams to score 5/6 @ Ladbrokes
