In what will just be the second game at the new, renovated Anfield, Liverpool takes on Mike Phelan’s Hull City side this weekend in a game that has not been kind to the Reds recently. Jurgen Klopp’s men are fresh from 3 back to back victories and will go into this as favorites playing at home but their record with the Tigers has been less than impressive and it might make for a hard fought game at Anfield. The visitors were thrashed at home by Arsenal last weekend and will hope to put in a better performance, this time, around. Here is the preview of this game, along with the team news, predicted line-ups and betting odds:
The Liverpool vs Hull City game will be played on Saturday, the 23rd of September at Anfield in Liverpool. The kick-off is scheduled at 3:00 pm BST (7:30 pm IST).
Team News:
Liverpool welcomed the likes of Emre Can and Loris Karius to the first team in a League Cup game in the midweek and Klopp has some decisions to make. The likes of Sturridge and Wijnaldum are also back from injury while Sakho is not match fit for this game.
Mike Phelan, on the other hand, has some impending problems with the squad. Alan McGregor, Greg Luer, and Moses Odubajo are all out for half the season, while Alex Bruce likely won’t be back until December. Michael Dawson is the only other player on the injury list leaving the manager with a weaker squad to choose from.
Expected Lineups:
Liverpool:
Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
Hull City:
Jakupovic; Elmohamady, Livermore, Davies, Robertson; Huddlestone, Clucas, Meyler; Snodgrass, Hernandez, Diomande
Key Battles:
Roberto Firmino vs Jake Livermore:
The Brazilian has been one of the best players for the club in recent times and will be the star player for the Reds in this game. He has been close to unstoppable this season and will be up against Livermore, who has been decent this season. This battle is one to watch out for in this game.
Robert Snodgrass vs Joel Matip:
The summer buys for Liverpool has been decent at the back in the last few games and will hope to keep another clean sheet in the league this time. It is not going to be easy with the likes of Snodgrass looking in good form. The Hull City attacker will be one of the biggest threats for the home side on the night and will have to be stopped if Liverpool wants to take all three points from this game.
Key Stats:
Liverpool have never lost a home game against Hull in all competitions (W8 D2) and drew 0-0 in the most recent meeting in October 2014.
The Tigers’ joint-heaviest Premier League defeat (along with 0-5 v Wigan) came at Anfield in September 2009, losing 6-1.
Hull have visited Anfield seven times in league competition without winning; the only three teams they have visited more often without winning are Chelsea (17), Man United (12) and Man City (10).
All of Hull’s three Premier League clean sheets against the Reds have been kept by different goalkeepers – Matt Duke, Eldin Jakupovic, and Steve Harper.
It is Mike Phelan’s 54th birthday on the day of this game. There have been 18 occasions of a manager winning a Premier League game on their birthday, with 25 instances of a manager losing a match in the competition on their birthday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games at Anfield (W7 D6) – it was 0-1 vs Manchester United in January and is the only home league match in which Liverpool have failed to score under the German manager.
Hull City have named an unchanged starting XI in each of their five Premier League games this season. The last time a side did this for longer from the start of a season was Aston Villa in 2008-09 (a run of seven games).
The Reds have lost just one of their last 39 Premier League home games against a newly promoted side (1-2 vs Blackpool in October 2010); winning 29 and drawing nine of these matches.
Betting Odds:
Liverpool: 2/9
Draw: 5/1
Hull City: 12/1
Prediction:
Liverpool are in sizzling form this season but their only loss came against a newly promoted side just like Hull. They will have to be at their best against the Tigers but playing at home will give them an advantage making them favorites to win this game. It will a tough night for the visitors who have to be at their best to get anything from this game.
Our Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Hull City