Jurgen Klopp would hope his Liverpool side are able to arrest their run of poor results as they travel to face Marco Silva and his resurgent Hull City side.
Hull City are showing signs of life under Marco Silva. The Tigers have notched up 4 points from the last three games and are four points off the 17th place. The latest result, a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, will surely provide Marco Silva’s side some encouragement ahead of the crucial Liverpool clash.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have endured a disastrous January that, in all fairness, have hindered their hopes of capturing their long-awaited Premier League title. The Reds have Sadio Mane back available, whose importance has been highlighted in his absence.
A win for Liverpool could go a long way in their title challenge while anything less could see them drift further away from the league leaders and perhaps, even outside the top four of the table. A win for Hull, though, could see them come ever-closer to getting out of the relegation places.
Team News & Tactics
Hull City FC
New signings Kamil Grosicki and Alfred N’Diaye are both available for selection, which will be a huge boost for Marco Silva, especially Grosicki, who has been on some form this season. Andrea Ranocchia came on in the second half in a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford and is pushing for a place in the starting eleven.
Dieumerci Mbokani has returned from the African Cup of Nations while Ahmed Elmohamady is still competing at the event and is still unavailable. Lazar Markovic, too misses out, as he is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Marco Silva has a fair share of injury issues to take care of ahead of the Liverpool game. Ryan Mason is still recovering from his critical skull injury, that saw him taken to the hospital. But perhaps, the most important of absentees is veteran Curtis Davies.
The defender is out and Marco Silva would hope Ranocchia can fill in the void. The attacking onus is likely to be on Diomande and Niasse again.
Probable Lineu ( 4-3-3 ): Jakupovic; Ranocchia, Dawson, Maguire, Robertson; Evandro, Huddlestone, Clucas; Diomande, Niasse, Abel Hernandez
Liverpool FC
Liverpool have sorely missed Sadio Mane but Klopp would be glad the attacker is back from the African Cup of Nations. The player started on the bench against Chelsea before coming on towards the end and could be set to start against the Tigers on Saturday.
Klopp has all the regulars back to fitness and available for selection, something the club really needs as they aim to make amends for a forgetful January. Nathaniel Clyne is continuing to play despite a rib injury and is likely to feature again in what could be a crucial fixture for the Reds.
Probable Lineup ( 4-3-3 ): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner; Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho
Betting Odds
Favourable Bets:
1. Hull City Asian Handicap + 1.0,1.5 @ 1.875
2. Over 1.5 Liverpool Cards @ 2.00
3. Liverpool Clean Sheet – NO @ 1.66
Underdog Bets:
1. Hull Draw No Bet @ 5.00
Key Stats
1. Hull City are the only team yet to record a shutout at home this season, conceding in all 11 home fixtures up until now.
2. The Tigers actually have a great recent record against Liverpool, especially at home, with Marco Silva’s side losing just 1 of their last 4 home matches against the Reds.
3. Jurgen Klopp is on his longest run of matches (5) without a win since taking over as Liverpool manager.
4. James Milner has been involved in six goals in his last six appearances against Hull City, scoring five and creating another.
5. Hull City have allowed the second most shots on goal while Liverpool are top of the table in terms of shots taken and goals scored in the Premier League this season.
Prediction
Hull City FC 1 – 2 Liverpool FC
Hull City are set to provide some stiff competition to Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side as they aim to start February on the right foot. And, with the returning Sadio Mane set to start, we feel the Reds would be able to somehow edge the Tigers on Saturday.
Sadio is likely to be the Mane man for Klopp, who would hope their side returns to winning ways.
