Hull City look to bounce back from a few disappointing results as they travel to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday with the Reds looking to continue their scorching form.
There are not many words that describe the current Liverpool attack much better than class. Klopp seems to have transformed the Reds from a labouring hatchback to a luxury Sedan this season as the players, for once, look like they belong on the pitch wearing the Liverpool jersey that carries its magnificent history. The fans are hopeful that their struggles are behind them and seem to have full faith in the German manager, who seems as enthusiastic as a man receiving his first pay-check at every match on the sidelines.
Hull City, on the other hand, have seen their early season form disappear with the Tigers managing only a single point in the last three league games. But, the performance looks encouraging and it appears the players are responding well to Mike Phelan’s managerial tactics. The former Manchester United coach knows a thing or two about facing Liverpool during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson and would look to bring his experience of the same into play as Hull attempt to recapture their magnificent start to the season.
Liverpool FC
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool are likely to have the midfield duo of Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum available for selection after the two were rested for the mid-week match in the EFL Cup. Daniel Sturridge also missed the fixture after missing the pre-match training with a niggle and faces a race to be fit enough to be named among the 18.
Loris Karius made his debut for Liverpool in the mid-week fixture and kept a clean sheet against Derby County but it is believed that Jurgen Klopp is likely to ease the German back to full fitness which probably means Mignolet will be retaining his place between the posts for the time, at least.
Ojo and Joe Gomez are still out and due back next month. Liverpool’s attack seems fluid and one of the main reasons for it seems to be their well distributed attack pattern. The Reds have used each area of the pitch to attack with only a slight preference to the wings and their high pressing tactic seems to be working wonders for them right now.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3 / 4-2-1-3) : Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho
Hull City
Team News & Tactics
Jake Livermore returns to the side after serving suspension. The former Tottenham midfielder has been used as a make-shift centre-back by Mike Phelan but the manager must now choose between playing Livermore in defence or putting his faith in the more natural pairing of Curtis Davies and Harry Maguire at the back with the duo having performed well in the mid-week EFL Cup win against Stoke City.
Phelan played a string of new signings with Markus Henriksen, Ryan Mason, David Marshall and the United duo of James Weir and Will Keane making their debuts for the club. It is highly likely that a few of them will be in line to make their league debut for the club on Saturday.
Mike Phelan and Hull have already shown their resilience against top teams as they beat Leicester City and managed to shut off Manchester United before the Red Devils claimed a stoppage-time winner. The viewers could be in for more of the same with Hull trying to sit back deep and defend while graciously accepting any chance of attack or catching their esteemed opponents on the break as they pile on the pressure.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3 / 4-2-1-2-1) : Jakupovic; El Mohamady, Curtis Davies, Maguire, Robertson; Huddlestone, Mason, Clucas; Snodgrass, Diomande, Abel Hernandez
Key Stats :
1. Liverpool and Hull City have met each other on eight occasions in the Premier League with Liverpool winning on only three occasions.
2. Liverpool have an almost impeccable home record against newly promoted sides having lost just one out of 39 matches played.
3. The fixture is set to be a highly entertaining affair with Liverpool’s games seeing an average of just under 4 goals per match while Hull’s fixtures have produced just under 3 goals per match.
4. Liverpool are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season whereas Hull already have two to their name.
5. The current standings of managers’ result on their birthdays in the Premier League stand at 18-25 and Hull would love to make it the 19th instance of a manager being victorious on his birthday by gifting their manager a win on Saturday.
Betting Tips
It seems Liverpool have taken the gauntlet to provide entertainment and goals this season as their fixtures have produced a barrage of goals most of the time.
Favourable Bets:
1. Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.53
2. Liverpool Clean Sheet – No @ 2.00
3. Mane to score anytime @ 2.10
Underdog Bets:
1. Both Teams to Score in 1st Half @ 5.50
2. Draw Or Hull @ 4.33
Prediction :
Liverpool 3 – 2 Hull City
It is set to be a high scoring game with Liverpool having failed to keep a clean sheet thus far but their thunderous attack is likely to more than compensate for the shortcomings in their defence. Hull City would give a tough fight to the Reds with the relatively weaker teams known to be Liverpool’s achilles heel in the recent past. But, Liverpool look like they are on a roll and their confidence and morale alone could turn the game in their favour. The Hard Tackle feels that this very thing could be the case on Saturday.
