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Sep 24, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
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Preview: Liverpool vs. Hull City

:Headline: Preview: Liverpool vs. Hull City: ID:281866: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews the Premier League match between Liverpool and Hull City at Anfield.

Liverpool will stretch their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions if they avoid defeat in Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City at Anfield.

The Reds have won their last two top-flight fixtures, scoring six goals in the process, while the Tigers are aiming to end their three-game winless run in the division.


Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp's men have demonstrated in these early stages of the season that they have the ability to terrorise defences with their attacking flair.

With Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane in the ranks, Klopp has plenty of options going forward, and it has been beneficial so far given that they have scored 19 goals in seven games in all competitions.

In fact, the Reds have scored four times as many goals (12) in their first five league games of the campaign as they did in the 2015-16 season.

So far, Liverpool have been on the outskirts when discussing potential title contenders due to the heavyweights occupying Manchester and the competitors in North and West London.

However, Klopp's team have impressed in the early rounds having taken points off Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and defending Premier League champions Leicester City.

The club's latest scalp came last weekend when they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Antonio Conte's Chelsea, and it was the first-half display that caught the eye of many.

The Reds went full throttle, dominating the ball as if they were the home side, and it paid off when Dejan Lovren nudged his team ahead in the 17th minute.

Diego Costa pulled one back for Chelsea in the second half following Jordan Henderson's wonder goal, but for a Liverpool defence that can be shaky, they stood up to the task and stopped the Blues from finding an equaliser.

It has not all be plain sailing for Klopp and his players, though, as their only defeat of the season so far came at Turf Moor against Burnley, who earned a 2-0 victory.

The Merseyside outfit failed to break down Sean Dyche's men and they looked bereft of ideas, which was a problem last season against teams that camped out in their own half.

Liverpool have proven already that they can go toe to toe with the stronger teams in the division, but the Reds can be prone to a banana skin when they face lower opposition.

Also, Klopp's side are no strangers to conceding given that they have let in goals in every single league game so far - eight in total.

They have the added comfort of playing at home on Saturday afternoon, and it will be just the second match at Anfield since construction on the Main Stand was completed.

Liverpool marked their first home game with a 4-1 rout over Leicester earlier this month.

Recent form: WLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWW


Hull City

Following the pre-season turmoil at Hull, anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the Tigers would be lingering at the bottom of the Premier League table.

That is not the case, though, as the Championship playoff winners sit 11th in the standings after five games.

Steve Bruce stepped down as manager three weeks before the start of the season, while ongoing uncertainty regarding the status of the club's owners meant that the transfer kitty was tight.

Despite all that, caretaker manager Mike Phelan guided Hull to back-to-back victories in their first two games of the campaign - beating Leicester and Swansea City.

The Tigers have not experienced that winning feeling since those fixtures in the league, but their two defeats so far came against tough opposition in Manchester United and Arsenal.

Phelan's men managed to seal a 1-1 draw with Burnley in between those matches, and they will be heading to Anfield on a high after ousting Stoke City in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Their last league outing may play on their minds when they arrive on Merseyside, though, as they were punished by Arsenal in a 4-1 defeat at the KC Stadium.

Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott put the Gunners two goals clear, but Robert Snodgrass gave the hosts some hope when he converted a 79th-minute penalty.

Instead of clawing back another goal, Hull conceded a further two when Sanchez and Granit Xhaka found the back of the net before the final whistle blew.

On the other hand, the Tigers can take comfort from the fact that they have not lost an away game in all competitions so far this season, and Snodgrass has the chance to reach a personal milestone by scoring in three consecutive Premier League games.

While on the pitch Hull have arguably done better than some expected, there remains uncertainty over the managerial position as Whelan, who turns 54 years old on Saturday, has not yet been offered the job full time.

Recent form: WWLDL
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLW


Team News

Earlier this week, Klopp refused to confirm whether he will stick with number one goalkeeper Simon Mignolet or start Loris Karius at Anfield this weekend.

Mignolet has been first choice since his arrival at Liverpool from Sunderland in 2013, but Karius, who was bought by Klopp in the summer transfer window, had a blemish-free debut in Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over Derby County in the EFL Cup.

Georginio Wijnaldum and Lallana were rested for the game in midweek, but could return to the starting lineup at Anfield on Saturday, while Sturridge is a doubt after picking up a knock against Chelsea.

As for Hull, Jake Livermore is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension, while Ryan Mason is vying for a first-team spot following his impressive performance in this week's Cup action.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Wijnaldum, Henderson Lallana; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Jakupovic; Robertson, Livermore, Davies, Elmohamady; Huddlestone, Clucas, Mason; Snodgrass, Hernandez, Diomande


Head To Head

Liverpool dominate the meetings between these two clubs as they have won 13, drawn five and lost just twice in the past 20 matches.

A positive for the Tigers, though, is that the last time that they competed in the Premier League, they scooped up four points from their two meetings, and also kept a clean sheet in both.

The Reds are more than comfortable when facing Hull on home turf, though, as they have never succumbed to defeat at Anfield having won eight and drawn two matches in all competitions.


We say: Liverpool 2-1 Hull City

In the past, Liverpool have outshone teams of a high calibre, but have let themselves down when taking on so-called 'lesser teams' the following week. Klopp will be hoping that his men can show a level of consistency this time around, but there is potential for Hull to cause an upset, particularly as Liverpool's defence can be suspect. Hull stunned the champions on the opening day of the campaign, but they face a team full of confidence in an intimidating stadium. Liverpool should have enough to get over the line on Saturday.



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