Marco Silva’s Hull City comfortably saw off an abject Liverpool team, as Jurgen Klopp’s side squandered a perfect opportunity to go second (or at least third) in the table after Arsenal’s defeat by Chelsea earlier.
Debutants Alfred N'Diaye and Oumar Niasse got on the score-sheet for the Tigers as Liverpool failed to make their chances count despite the attacking personnel all returning to the first team.
A miserable afternoon for Klopp and his team ensured that Liverpool are yet to win a Premier League game since the turn of the year.
The Reds now sit thirteen points adrift of Chelsea in fourth place. Manchester City are level on points and Manchester United are just four points off Liverpool, with both having a game in hand to be played Sunday.
We take a look at the top five takeaways from the fixture.
#5. Liverpool’s defence needs fixing
Another game, another set-piece, another error – it feels like this theme is played on loop every time Liverpool are defending and it does not make for pretty viewing either.
No one individual player is singlehandedly responsible for the Reds’ suspect and malfunctioning back-line but every one of them has gifted the opposition points in some fixture or the other.
Saturday was Simon Mignolet’s turn although none of his teammates could cover themselves in glory.
A Hull City corner which should have been cleared was first flapped on by an onrushing Mignolet before he fell in the box. The ball was allowed three touches (yes, three) by the Tigers players as Liverpool were caught ball-watching or appealing for an offside call where there was none. Their lackadaisical approach allowed debutant N’Diaye to fire home from the closest of quarters with the keeper squat on the floor.
Klopp’s men have conceded 30 times in 24 league games, the most among the top eight sides in the table and he needs to plug the leaks quickly enough before it sinks the ship.
#4. An organised Hull City are a difficult side to beat
Hull City snatched a point against Manchester United at Old Trafford mid-week and all but got a win, if not for the post keeping out Lazar Markovic’s effort. They managed to shut out United’s attack for the duration of the game and their defensive organisation deserves another round of credit and applause following a similar achievement against Liverpool.
20 minutes before kick-off, the Tigers’ captain Michael Dawson picked up an injury during warm-up which necessitated the drafting in of new signing Andrea Ranocchia against the league’s most potent attack.
However, Dawson’s absence was not a cause for worry at all as Hull were committed, organised and narrow. Rarely did the Reds attack cause them too much trouble, with the visitors resorting to too many passes sideways and taking too many touches of the ball to actually hustle a well-oiled unit.
Eldin Jakupovic kept out an effort each from Sadio Mane and a superb flick from Jordan Henderson late on and was ably helped out by his teammates in the box every time something looked remotely threatening.
On more than one occasion, Hull City have demonstrated that they are a difficult side to breach and therefore beat.
#3. Klopp needs a solid plan to break down defensive solid teams
While there is no taking away credit from a well-drilled and organised Hull City defence, Liverpool simply have to do more or find an alternative to score.
Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino started together for the first time since November but it made little difference. Their strength lay in attack and it was their best form of defence but the frontline is as much lacking in form and creativity as in clinical finishing prowess.
All too often, Klopp’s men have been found wanting when it comes to dealing with sides that sit deep; while that was one of the issues in the first few games of the season, it has now become an effective tactic to counter the gegenpress.
Liverpool may have all the possession but rarely threaten in the final third. The German at the helm will have time to introspect and come up with a solution; however, he needs to be quick as the competition is heating up and his side will definitely want to be in contention for the top four to have something to show for at the end of the season.
#2. Marco Silva offers hopes of keeping Hull up in the top division
Marco Silva replaced Mike Phelan as the Tigers’ boss in the first week of Jan and in his four league games in charge, Hull have taken 7 points from a possible 12 and moved up two places to 18th in the table from rock bottom.
Although it is too early to judge if the Portuguese can keep them afloat in the top tier, the early signs are promising and the Tigers seem to be heading in the right direction.
Robert Snodgrass’ departure is a cause of worry for a side who have struggled in front of goal. However, against the Reds’ defence, two debutants scored for their manager and raised hopes of survival among the Hull fans.
Silva’s men were quick and lethal on the counter and supremely organised in defence, offering Liverpool barely any space to turn or run into. In just over a month, the manager has turned around the performances for all to see.
Their next fixture is a visit to the Emirates and Marco Silva’s men can surely travel with high hopes to take on Wenger’s side whose last two outings have been damning defeats against Watford and Chelsea.
#1. Liverpool are no title challengers; face a tough battle for place in top four
At one point in November 2016, Liverpool were just six points off Chelsea and had a comfortable enough lead over the rest of the sides in the top six. Currently, they are fourth with 46 points, 4 off Spurs and one away from Arsenal.
When the game-week comes to a close, there is a high chance they could go fifth - 3 points off fourth place and with only a point’s cushion over sixth-placed United.
The Merseysiders have only managed to take 3 points from their last 5 league fixtures against Sunderland, Manchester United, Swansea, Chelsea and now Hull City. They are yet to record a league win in 2017 and have their work cut out – perform or perish.
At this rate, there won’t be much left for the Reds to fight for in what has been another season of promise followed by a slump and familiar feeling of desperation and dilemma. Come May, they may finish out of the Champions League spots if their current run – and that of their top four rivals’ - is anything to go by.
Liverpool look jaded, less hungry, low on confidence and are missing the swagger of a side that has scored the most goals in the league. On the other hand, Manchester City look formidable after sweeping aside West Ham mid-week while Manchester United are unbeaten in the league since their defeat to Chelsea in late October.
