FA Premiership
Sat 13th December 3pm at Anfield
Hull City make only their 7th visit to Anfield in the club’s history after a spectacular start to the season which saw many of the so called pundits gasping in surprise. They briefly led the Premiership and had a good spell in the top four before some defeats and draws dented their confidence.
Former Liverpool player Nick Barmby helped Hull back in to the Premiership and Phil Brown and his headset have done a tremendous job in steering the team, starring the Brazilian Geovanni, in to Premiership respectability. A place in Europe is not out the question if they can recapture their early season form.
Rafa will be expected to bring the likes of Gerrard back but all eyes will be on our defence in particular. Most observers would have stated that Hyypia and Insua were fantastic for us last weekend in the Premiership. Unfortunately neither player is in the Champions League squad – will they come back and replace Dossena and Agger?
Will Keane stay up front? Will Rafa stick with 4-4-2 or revert to the 4-5-1 to accomodate Gerrard….?
History
It’s been 9 years since the reds last faced Hull at Anfield in the League Cup. It’s been 48 years since the last league fixture at Anfield between the two clubs.
The reds have won 6 out of 6 at Anfield against Hull. The most recent result was a 4-2 win. The reds ran out 9-3 winners over both legs back when Hull where in the lower divisions.
Betting
Considering their form, the bookies are being a bit unkind on Hull in our opinion.
Liverpool 2/5
Draw 4/1
Hull 9/1
A 2-0 victory is the favoured scoreline at 5/1. A repeat of the 4-2 is at 66/1. Happened lots this season – but if you think Hull will be winning at half time only for the reds to turn it round you can get odds at 28/1.
Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. Sign up here.
Pre Match Press Conference
TV
Not shown live in the UK. More details in the forum.
Opposition Links
Amber Nectar – Hull City fansite and forums
Hull City Football Shirts
In the Liverpool forum
Liverpool v Hull City Pre Match Discussion
Well another point at home – it is really difficult to remain so positive – as we are top of the league (by two points now) but what is wrong with Rafa? We have a £20 mil striker on the bench but will bring on Lucas – a holding midfielder!!!
My opinion (and thank god I am not a manager) would to have brought on Keane for Benayoun (who all of a sudden is playing after his spat at the press about wanting to leave – let him go ffs) switch Kuyt to the right and push Gerrard between the midfield and strikers – honestly does that seem silly?
We see scores like Villa getting 4 – I cant ever even begin to imagine us ever scoring 4 against would should be easy teams…fulham, stoke, west ham and hull included.
I am not sure that Keane was a good purchase for us but a striker he is, so why not play him? Babel wants to go (hope he doesnt) and Benayoun want to go (let him) -but sometimes seems Rafa has a fixed set of subs he wants to use and he undynamic…Look at Kuyt for instance – a very (sorry to say – dumb footballer) – he knows two routes – one to try and take on the player and the other is to hit backwards – there doesnt seem to be any intelligence there – a floating ball for instance, a hold and run towards goal, a one-two…have recently read Carra’s book and feel the same as he does – not eneough players who would give everything for the shirt.
Very frustrating but still pleased to be top – and the best has not even started yet for us – the Chelsea games was the best by far.