Hull V Liverpool [Match Thread]

MementoMori

Our season starts ends here. Thank Christ this season is over and we can get back to the joy of praying for new owners/discussing the financial state of the club/scrabbling down the back of the sofa for change to maybe buy some players.:(

With the reserves away in Europe - [Spain last week; Belgium this week] and the injury situation the options for the bench are so limited that it looks like there is a possibility of 16 year old LB Jack Robinson making the bench, according to TB in the Times yesterday. He played in the Youth Cup at 15 last year, has played for England underage, has appeared for the reserves a couple of times and has trained with the first-team already. He seems like a genuine prospect but I would imagine that a number of the reserves/loanees would be a lot closer to featuring for the first-team, if they were around.

Don't think there is any point playing Carra especially if he is going to the World Cup. Start the two 19 year olds of Ayala and Pacheco for experience. El Zhar is in the lineup to give Kuyt a rest and to see what he looks like when he actually starts a game. Rafa doesn't give much away about the lineup in the article below.

My team for the Hull game.

---

Pepe

---

---Masch--Ayala--Krygiakos--Agger---

---

Aquilani----Gerrard

---

--El Zhar

---

Pacheco

---

Babel--

---

Dave

---

Subs: Cavalieri , Benayoun, Kuyt, Lucas, Carragher, Degen, Robinson

Run the subs bench early and given Degen a half for Masch. Maybe give Lucas a shot replacing Gerrard so Gerrard gets some rest and if things are favourably wrapped up then give Robinson tne minutes.

Maybe
Carragher

Very Doubtful
Johnson
Skrtel

Injured
Maxi
Torres
Aurelio
Insua
Kelly

Naughty Step
Riera

Maxi out of Tigers trip
8th May 2010 - Latest News

Rafael Benitez has confirmed Liverpool will be without the services of Maxi Rodriguez for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash at Hull City - but Jamie Carragher is fit to face the Tigers.

The duo both sustained knocks during last weekend's Anfield encounter against Chelsea, with Carragher twisting his ankle and Maxi picking up an adductor injury.

Both players were rated as doubtful for the trip to the KC Stadium, but Benitez has revealed Carragher will be able to take on Iain Dowie's side.

"Carra is okay, he is fine. I think he can play - we will see today in the last training session," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv. "Maxi cannot play because he has a problem in his adductor."

The Reds will bring the curtain down on a mixed 2009-10 away to the Tigers, with sixth place the best possible finish they can achieve on the final day.

However, Benitez insists Liverpool are determined to end the season with a win - particularly as overhauling Aston Villa into the top six will ensure they do not have to contest an early season Europa League qualifier.

"It's always important to win. We know we have to improve away and this is an opportunity to do that, so we will try to finish as well as possible," said the gaffer.

"For us it is an opportunity to do a little bit better, be in a better position and avoid a Europa League qualifier.

"Hopefully the players will have the same mentality and vision, and we can push together."

Three points in Yorkshire would represent only Liverpool's sixth away win of the season in the Barclays Premier League.

It's a statistic Benitez believes hindered the Reds' charge for Champions League football and one he is all to aware must change in 2010-11.

"I am sure it (away form) has been a big problem," he said. "I have checked the statistics from last season and they were really good. This year, we could not improve away, so it has been a big difference.

"Away we have not been the best, so for our fans that go away and support the team all the time, we have to do well at Hull.

"I was really pleased in the last away game with Burnley when we scored four goals, played well - hopefully we can do the same again."

Reflecting on the season as a whole, the manager added: "I think it is a disappointing season for everyone here. The expectations were really high but we started the season with problems and defeats. We lost the confidence you need when you want to fight to be at the top of the table all of the time."

While Liverpool's final position in the table is still to be determined, Hull's fate has already been sealed as Monday's 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic condemned them to life in the Championship next term.

Benitez, though, has nothing but admiration for Dowie's attempts to keep the Tigers in the top flight after taking over from Phil Brown in March.

He said: "For a manager to be in this position is not easy. When the team is in a difficult situation then you have to manage and improve a lot of things. But you don't have too much time, so to be fair, it was so difficult that you can't say too much. He has just tried to do his best."

Meanwhile, Benitez admitted he could be tempted to hand Spanish prodigy Dani Pacheco his first Liverpool start at Hull.

The forward has made six substitute appearances for the first team so far this season having excelled in the Reserves.

"We will have to check on our players, but Dani is doing well and could be an option," said Benitez.

"To train alongside players like Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt will improve him a lot - and he has improved a lot already - so we will see.

"He has quality and he has to keep the same commitment and working hard because when you have talent, it is easier to play well if you work hard."

I cannot wait for this season to end.

Would like to see Pacheco start, go on Rafa, I dare ya.

We gotta win to avoid a qualifier in the Europa cup.

Hope this is the last I ever see of Babel for Liverpool.

mike65

0-2.

Dcully

0-2 and a clean sheet for Pepe to get the golden glove while Czech concedes one to Wigan but Chelsea win the title would be a good way to end a nasty season

The Muppet

MementoMori wrote: »

Our season starts ends here. Thank Christ this season is over and we can get back to the joy of praying for new owners/discussing the financial state of the club/scrabbling down the back of the sofa for change to maybe buy some players.:(

With the reserves away in Europe - [Spain last week; Belgium this week] and the injury situation the options for the bench are so limited that it looks like there is a possibility of 16 year old LB Jack Robinson making the bench, according to TB in the Times yesterday. He played in the Youth Cup at 15 last year, has played for England underage, has appeared for the reserves a couple of times and has trained with the first-team already. He seems like a genuine prospect but I would imagine that a number of the reserves/loanees would be a lot closer to featuring for the first-team, if they were around.

Don't think there is any point playing Carra especially if he is going to the World Cup. Start the two 19 year olds of Ayala and Pacheco for experience. El Zhar is in the lineup to give Kuyt a rest and to see what he looks like when he actually starts a game. Rafa doesn't give much away about the lineup in the article below.

My team for the Hull game.

---

Pepe

---

---Masch--Ayala--Krygiakos--Agger---

---

Aquilani----Gerrard

---

--El Zhar

---

Pacheco

---

Babel--

---

Dave

---

Subs: Cavalieri , Benayoun, Kuyt, Lucas, Carragher, Degen, Robinson

Run the subs bench early and given Degen a half for Masch. Maybe give Lucas a shot replacing Gerrard so Gerrard gets some rest and if things are favourably wrapped up then give Robinson tne minutes.

Maybe
Carragher

Very Doubtful
Johnson
Skrtel

Injured
Maxi
Torres
Aurelio
Insua
Kelly

Naughty Step
Riera

Who are you supporting today, Liverpool or Hull?

Yellowledbetter

While I and many others will be glad to see the end of this disasterous season Im even more concerned about the long and uncertain Summer were facing.

I can funnily enough see us winning comfortably today tho

blinding

Why don't some innovative scousers go up to the city of Manchester Stadium and borrow the Man City owners.

Seriously though not a Liverpool supporter would'nt it be good if Liverpool could get owners like they have at city

or

Could Liverpool become the Barcelona of Britain. Do the fans own Barcelona or something like that

doc_17

rarnes1 wrote: »

Hope this is the last I ever see of Babel for Liverpool.

amen to that

whatawaster

Babel has been our best wide player for the last 3 months. Still far from perfect, but his effort i think warrants him staying. He's still got age on his side, which none of Kuyt, Benayoun or Maxi do. We need to start decreasing the age of our squad.

8-10

Liverpool: Reina, Mascherano, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel, Aquilani, El Zhar. Subs: Cavalieri, Ngog, Degen, Skrtel, Ayala, Robinson, Pacheco.

Kess73

Jack Robinson on the bench. Massive day for that young lad. Still only 16. Big step up from the U-18s

Hank Scorpio

Can only see a 4-0 hull win here

whatawaster

I feel like i'm a broken record at this stage, but Pacheco not starting in a nothing match is nothing short of ridiculous. As is sending all our promising reserves off on a meaningless tour to Spain when some of them should be involved today.
El Zhar has no future here, he's just denying Pacheco gametime

Scorpion Sting

1-3 to Liverpool.

mike65

---

Reina,
Masch, Carra, Soto, Agger

---

Lucas, Gerrard,
El Zhar, Aquilani, Babel,

---

Kuyt

Subs: Cavalieri, Ngog, Degen, Skrtel, Ayala, Robinson, Pacheco.

Kess73

That would have been a hell of an OG.

Babel storming from his own half and played a ball that would have put Kuyt clean through. Defender stretches to get it about 20 yards aout and it had the keeper going full length as it went past the post.

Kess73

Good burst forward by Agger, got the ball on the half way line and kept going past three players and but lost the ball in the Hull 18 box.

NukaCola

Has Gerrard forgot how to pass?

NukaCola

Good effort ElZhar!

Kess73

Kuyt keeps going out wide right to get the ball and to run despite him being the lone striker today.

Gerrard is awful today, has lost the ball four or five times already and just stood still each time with a bored look on his face.

Masch has been beavering away at right back and has been the only player providing width on the right, which is a bit worrying considering El Zhar is there for that as well as Kuyt driftying out there.


Agger looks lively today as does Babel.


FFS as I type Kuyt drifts out right for a ball which sees him, Masch and El Zhar all in the one area of the pitch and nobody in the box

8-10

Kess73 wrote: »

That would have been a hell of an OG.

Babel storming from his own half and played a ball that would have put Kuyt clean through. Defender stretches to get it about 20 yards aout and it had the keeper going full length as it went past the post.

Would have put El Zhar clean through....

Kess73

Ohh better by Kuyt.

This time he stayed in the box and his flick header was headed off the line by a defender.


Nice crack by El Zhar moments before the Kuyt header.

Kess73

8-10 wrote: »

Would have put El Zhar clean through....

Ahh thought it was Kuyt, given how often he has gone right today.

Kess73

Nice little set of passes by Babel at the edge of the box there, was unlucky that the final pass back to him was overhit.

Kess73

Babel showing a real willingness to run at players today.

Kess73

nice try by Aquilani. Tried to place the ball into the net and was not far away from getting himself a goal.

Kess73

Well done Lucas. That would have been a free header had Lucas not made it difficult for the attacker.


First hint of a threat from Hull.

Kess73

Feral pigeon with a great view of the game.

Sir Gallagher

Anybody got a decent stream?

D'Agger

Cheers for the updates Kess, studying for an exam so glancin over every now and again to stay informed

Kess73

Twice in as many minutes have Hull come close to scoring.

Bit of pressure now from Hull

Kess73

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Anybody got a decent stream?

It is on Setanta Ireland if you are near a tv, or if you are with Eircom just go to eircom.net and look down the page to where it says Live Watch And Chat. Just click on the watch premiership football and the Liverpool game is there crystal clear.

Sir Gallagher

Kess73 wrote: »

It is on Setanta Ireland if you are near a tv, or if you are with Eircom just go to eircom.net and look down the page to where it says Live Watch And Chat. Just click on the watch premiership football and the Liverpool game is there crystal clear.

Cheers man, didnt even realise it was on Setanta Ireland.

NukaCola

Liverpool not looking great against a poor Hull team IMO.

Away form has been awful this season. Liverpool have scored less goals away from home than Wolves have and only one more goal scored than Burnley, depressing stat...

Kess73

Free kick to Hull right on the edge of the box on the Liverpool right flank.

Two minutes to half time and Hull fill the box with yellow shirts.

Comes to nothing as it is blocked and put out for a throw to Hull.


Long throw from Hull and it almost becomes a problem until Socky puts a block in.

Kess73

Plenty of goals going in today in the other games. Typical.

Sir Gallagher

Ooh close from Aqua

~Rebel~

how did we not score there!?

Kess73

Aquilani hits the woodwork and Agger blows the rebound high and wide. Should have been one up there.

Kess73

Half time and 0-0

D'Agger

Kess73 wrote: »

Half time and 0-0

Bring on Pacheco & Robinson please It sounds like it's a training exercise from what you've been saying Kess, who would you take off if anybody?

jesus_thats_gre

Can't find a decent stream Not on Eircom either...

Kess73

PaulieC wrote: »

Bring on Pacheco & Robinson please It sounds like it's a training exercise from what you've been saying Kess, who would you take off if anybody?

Gerrard off, with Pacheo coming on. Put Aquilani beside Lucas in the centre and Pacheo further forward.

Maybe later in the game bring on Jack Robinson to give the lad the record of being the youngest ever player for Liverpool in the league. Take Carra off for him and put Agger in the centre with Socky with Jack in the LB slot.

Take El Zhar off and put Kuyt out right and bring N'Gog on.


That would be my subs of choice anyway.

Kess73

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Can't find a decent stream Not on Eircom either...

you tried Iraqigoals?

Sir Gallagher

The king chatting up some tasty Asian bird, fair play lol

Kess73

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

The king chatting up some tasty Asian bird, fair play lol

Had a giggle at that too.

Kess73

Lucas has done a lot of legwork and covering back today. It may not be flash or attract a lot of attention, but he deserves a mention for it because a lot of his work has broken up Hull attacks in and around the Liverpool box.

Kess73

Fields Of Anfield Road is belting out. Great show by the travelling fans today.

Kess73

I had forgotten El Zhar was on the pitch until he got a touch on the ball a moment ago.

D'Agger

No subs on I take it??

Kess73

Another rough tackle on Agger that gets the Hull player a yellow.

Agger is starting to make those long runs forward again with two attempts in the last six minutes.