{"id":879,"date":"2016-09-24T14:22:54","date_gmt":"2016-09-24T18:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=879"},"modified":"2023-01-31T12:12:24","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T17:12:24","slug":"liverpool-dominated-hull-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/09\/24\/liverpool-dominated-hull-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool Dominate Hull City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool Dominate Hull City <\/span><\/h2>\n

Liverpool <\/b>dominated <\/span>Hull City<\/b> at Anfield. The <\/span>Reds<\/b> were in rampant form as they dismantled <\/span>Mike Phelan\u2019s<\/b> Tigers<\/strong>. <\/span>J\u00fcrgen Klopp\u2019s <\/b>charges have seemingly mastered the gegenpressing philosophy that has been brought in. This high-octane pressing game coupled with pace and incisive attacks is devastating when applied as it was against Hull. In short, Liverpool made light work of Hull and continued their surge up the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

Team News<\/span><\/h3>\n

Klopp restored some of his early season standout players. <\/span>Adam Lallana <\/b>and Georginio Wijnaldum <\/b>were restored to the engine room and <\/span>Ragnar Klavan <\/b>kept his place at center back. <\/span>Loris Karius<\/b> edged out <\/span>Simon Mignolet<\/b> to take the starting goalkeeper position.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tactically, Klopp preferred a fluid front three with <\/span>Roberto Firmino<\/b>, <\/span>Sadio <\/b>Man\u00e9<\/b> and <\/span>Philippe Coutinho<\/b> fluidly interchanging. The shape of the Liverpool side mostly (as they interchange at pace at times) resembled a 4-3-3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hull City started with a defensive shape consisting of a 4-5 1 setup. The experienced <\/span>Curtis Davis<\/b> and <\/span>Jake Livermore<\/b><\/a>\u00a0were selected as the center back pairing and Hull looked to <\/span>Tom Huddlestone<\/b> to hold possession and ping balls forward to their lone attacker. <\/span><\/p>\n

First Half<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Reds were flowing from the first whistle, spurred on by the increased home support in Anfield. Hull in their defensive set up allowed Liverpool possession until it reached their defending third of the pitch. The Tigers tried to congest the area about 30 yards from their goal. At times this type of blocking defensive style has given Liverpool problems in the recent past. Coaching moves in order to counter this type of formation, paid off. Klopp opted for pace and guile up front. Firmino and Coutinho are both excellent <\/span>Futsal <\/b>players and their ability to squeeze killer passes, through a crowded area led to Liverpool\u2019s opening goal. Coutinho swept in from the left wing and fizzed a lovely pass through traffic into Lallana who cleverly angled his shot into the corner of the net. <\/span><\/p>\n

Coutinho again was involved in the second goal. His smooth side foot finish was heading into the net only to be deliberately handled and saved by <\/span>Ahmed Elmohamady. <\/b>The Hull defender had to be sent off and <\/span>James Milner<\/b> slotted the penalty home. Two-nil down and the Reds also with an extra player, Hull looked very much on the ropes. Fast attacking interplay again carved Hull open as <\/span>Man\u00e9<\/span> was found in the box and his spinning turn and finish had all the hallmarks of a forward in supreme form. At halftime, the Anfield crowd adoringly applauded their team\u2019s efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Half<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mike Phelan sent his side out after the half with damage limitation in mind. Roberto Firmino had an early claim for a penalty dismissed after his shirt was pulled in the box. Milner then had a lapse of concentration as he conceded a needless corner. Liverpool as they have often in the past, failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to substitute <\/span>David Meyler<\/b> who struck it sweetly home. Hull\u2019s renewed hope lasted all of a minute as Liverpool restored their three-goal lead. Philippe Coutinho added to his highlight reel with a 25-yard strike into the top corner. The Brazilian in a word is a magician when firing on all cylinders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel Sturridge<\/b> was introduced in the 68th minute and had an immediate impact. The England striker was played through and was controversially deemed fouled as he closed on goal. Milner calmly side-footed his second penalty home. On balance Liverpool firmly deserved another three points and altogether boosted their goal difference with a dominating performance. <\/span><\/p>\n

Liverpool Takeaways<\/span><\/h3>\n