Liverpool were held at home by Hull City on Saturday, as the Tigers somehow left Anfield with a 0-0 draw.
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Mario Balotelli saw a last-gasp effort from close range brilliantly saved by Eldin Jakupovic, as Hull’s third-choice ‘keeper had a wonderful game. in the shutout.
Hull rarely threatened going forward but thwarted Liverpool’s attackers who failed, once again, to get going. Liverpool drop to sixth on 14 points, while Hull climb to ninth on 11 points.
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Early on Dejan Lovren went close for Liverpool as the center back met Steven Gerrard’s corner and headed it goalwards but Elmohamady cleared for Hull.
Liverpool pushed hard to go ahead before the break as Adam Lallana grew into the game and could have had a penalty before half time as James Chester slid in dangerously inside the box. A rather subdued Balotelli had the fewest touches of any player on the pitch in the first half but he did have Liverpool’s only shot on goal which Jakupovic saved easily.
In the second half Liverpool were all over Hull as Steven Gerrard had two efforts, one well saved by Jakupovic, and Balotelli probably should have got to a ball which flashed across the face of the goal. The Italian was in the thick of things again late on but his first touch let him down when clean through on goal as Alex Bruce cleared with the duo having a right ding-dong battle all afternoon.
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The moment of the game arrived with almost the last kick as Philippe Coutinho whipped in a great ball to the back post and that man Balotelli hand an effort from three-yards out which Jakupovic saved superbly. Liverpool threw everything at Hull but the Tigers held on to seal an impressive draw away at Anfield and leave Rodgers’ side ruing several missed chances.
LINEUPS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Allen (Coutinho, 61'), Gerrard, Can (Henderson, 75'), Sterling, Balotelli, Lallana (Lambert, 61').
Hull City: Jakupovic, Bruce, Davies, Chester, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Diame, Livermore, Brady, Ben Arfa (Aluko, 71'), Hernandez (Ramirez, 71')