With all the speculation hovering over Anfield this week it was hard to keep in mind there was still actually some football to play. A trip over to the KC Stadium was where Liverpool would play their last game of the 2009/10 season and if we’re honest, it’s definitely a season to forget. Too often have the Liverpool players lacked that ability to really impose themselves in games this season, especially on the road.
So it wasn’t really surprising to see the game against the Tigers follow down the same route. The game got off to quite a slow, relaxed start. Neither team really getting out of third gear. But there were chances. El Zhar had an excellent shot saved by Duke and Kuyt seen his close range shot headed off the line by Boateng.
But Hull weren’t shy at exchanging chances. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had a headed chance saved comfortably by Pepe Reina. Shortly after, Cullen wasted two good chances in the Liverpool box, one was a sitter which he should have converted when heading from close range.
Half time was fast approaching and following a nice passage off football from the reds, Aquilani found himself in the Hull box and released a crafted shot which rebounded off the crossbar and Agger could only lash the ball recklessly, far away wide of the goal. Once again, frustration for the traveling red army.
Hull started the second half the brightest and Liverpool found themselves struggling to get out of their own half in the early stages. Once again Vennegoor of Hesselink and Cullen were making things awkward for the reds defence. Kuyt was pretty much isolated up front and there wasn’t any industry from either of the Liverpool wide men in El Zhar and Babel.
El Zhar was soon replaced by Ngog and Aquilani was later replaced by Pacheco, in an attempt to boost some life into the Liverpool attack. But Hull done their graft to get behind the ball and squeeze any space away from the reds. But Liverpool started to finally impose themselves in the last ten minutes, in seek of a goal which would have pushed the reds up to sixth in the table and provided an extra two weeks of preparation before next season. Something which could have came in very helpful with quite a few current Liverpool players on duty at the World Cup.
One very notable move in the latter stages of the second half was Gerrard showing a glimpse of what we have been used to for so long in the past. The Liverpool captain picked the ball up in midfield and went on a great driving run, passing Hull players with ease, until he got to the box and seen a very good effort rebound off the outside of the post. If there was ever a piece of play deserving of a goal, it was this.
But ultimately, that chance was iconic of a season which has left the reds frustrated on many occasions, for one reason or another.
The result quite probably reflected the game. You’ve got to score goals to win football games and both teams had their chances, yet didn’t take them. Finishing the season off with a frustrating and at times, dull, scoreless draw, doesn’t give you much point to look back on this game and remember it.
But there was one little bit of history made for the reds today. Jack Robinson was introduced late in the second half for Babel and became the youngest player to play for the reds first team. At just the tender age of 16 and 250 days.