Topic: Hull City v Liverpool, Pre-Match thread, Sat 4th February 15:00h

[Nitramdorf]

Only just realised this was a 3 o'clock Saturday kick off, makes a change.
Not sure how close we are to regaining top form but would be great to see a few goals fly in. Can anyone remember our last hat trick?
Happy with 1-0. delighted with 3-0. Come on you Reds

[Hazell]

Only just realised this was a 3 o'clock Saturday kick off, makes a change.

Was just thinking about that. When was the last time that happened? Sunderland at Anfield?

[jillcwhomever]

I actually think if we can get an early goal our confidence will return quickly, now we have our front four together again. Obvioulsy the longer it stays 0-0 the more confidence they will get from it. So we don't give them that option start quickly and ruthlessly, its up to us to dictate the game to them and not the over way around.

Also re: Can. I have just read an interview in the Mirror in which Klopp is saying he has had an injury for the last couple of months. They have been trying to find ways of him managing the injury while he plays. He also said that it's a lot better than it has been. So maybe that is partly why he has struggled recently. He is still young Can, I wouldn't entirely give up on him yet. Having said that I think he will drop to the bench for today's game.

[John C]

Thanks for the OP Zlen 

What to expect? What to predict? I think we're a tired team and will welcome less games and intensity over the next few week.
However, it's perhaps fortunate that we're playing away to a team that needs points and may fancy its chances by coming out & at us a bit. That valued bit of space may emerge, the opportunity to create something to trouble their keeper, something that allows our boss technical lads to play combinations together.

2 nil to the Reds.

You learn something everyday though don't you - I never knew Nick & Killer Heels had part time jobs at Hull.

[Crosby Nick]

Thanks for the OP Zlen 

What to expect? What to predict? I think we're a tired team and will welcome less games and intensity over the next few week.
However, it's perhaps fortunate that we're playing away to a team that needs points and may fancy its chances by coming out & at us a bit. That valued bit of space may emerge, the opportunity to create something to trouble their keeper, something that allows our boss technical lads to play combinations together.

2 nil to the Reds.

You learn something everyday though don't you - I never knew Nick & Killer Heels had part time jobs at Hull.

I fill that testicle costume beautifully don't you think?

[Red_Irishman]

Are we wearing the snot green today? Surely not?

I'm going to miss this, haven't missed a game in a long long time. Fucking raging.

[Floydy]

need to win this, will simply accept nothing less than 3 points. 

[Yiannis]

Just be glad that you get to see Harry Maguire's marauding runs.

[Keita Success]

I actually think if we can get an early goal our confidence will return quickly, now we have our front four together again. Obvioulsy the longer it stays 0-0 the more confidence they will get from it. So we don't give them that option start quickly and ruthlessly, its up to us to dictate the game to them and not the over way around.

Also re: Can. I have just read an interview in the Mirror in which Klopp is saying he has had an injury for the last couple of months. They have been trying to find ways of him managing the injury while he plays. He also said that it's a lot better than it has been. So maybe that is partly why he has struggled recently. He is still young Can, I wouldn't entirely give up on him yet. Having said that I think he will drop to the bench for today's game.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if Klopp dropped Can

[sms1986]

Are we wearing the snot green today? Surely not?

Doesn't matter, we've both won and lost in that kit.

[Red_Irishman]

Doesn't matter, we've both won and lost in that kit.

I understand that I just mean is there a need for it if we are!

[sms1986]

I understand that I just mean is there a need for it if we are!

We might wear red, we wore red against Wolves and they wear orange/gold like Hull.

[TheMissionary]

We might wear red, we wore red against Wolves and they wear orange/gold like Hull.

Someone thought they were Hull!

[Souness1]

Hopefully Hull got their decent result against one of the top 6 out of their system at United.

[killer-heels]

They kept City out for almost 80 minutes and beat Utd at home so they wont be easy to get past.

[Caston]

They kept City out for almost 80 minutes and beat Utd at home so they wont be easy to get past.

Every game is different

[Len1]

Interestingly, what is generally viewed as our strongest 10 outfield players, have only started 2 games all season. Spurs and Swansea away. Looks like today Klopp has the opportunity to pick those 10.

[Red_Irishman]

Very nervy about this. This will either go our way convincingly or it will be a very tough and frustrating evening. Can see the latter happening.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Interestingly, what is generally viewed as our strongest 10 outfield players, have only started 2 games all season. Spurs and Swansea away. Looks like today Klopp has the opportunity to pick those 10.

I really want to see Lallana in midfield again. 

[Eeyore]

We have had an extra days rest, we have no injuries and Mane is back so there can be no excuses we simply have to go there and deliver and try and get our season back on track. Hopefully with all those games against the Portugese Pullis's outfit they will find it hard to adapt to playing against a team that passes the ball instead of trying constantly to set Zlatan up for a Kungfu kick.

[Youb]

Remember when we were awesome?

That was fun.

Let's do that again.

[Adz LFC]

Now we have everyone back, it's going to be all about attitude. We go with the right attitude, our superior ability should help us take the 3 points. But if we turn up thinking it's going to be a stroll or if our lot simply aren't up for the fight, we'll get beat.

We're going to have to win the battle on the pitch first, in order for us earn to the right to play our football.

Completely agree with this.

Majority of us could probably accept a poor result knowing our lads have worked their bollocks off, but too many times over the years you get the impression they talk up a good game and just fancy turning up for the 3 points vs the "weaker" sides.

Thought we put in a decent shift against the rent boys midweek and there's no excuse not to do the same again today. 15 games left... Let's give it our all and see where we finish come May.

[redprodigal]

Expecting to be dominant throughout today and pick up three points.
No excuses with everyone back so looking forward to it.

[xbugawugax]

Remember when we were awesome?

That was fun.

Let's do that again.

2nd this

and those who have been sticking the knife deeper and deeper into emre's back, he has been suffering from a calf problem and playing through the pain barrier .

[bird_lfc]

2nd this

and those who have been sticking the knife deeper and deeper into emre's back, he has been suffering from a calf problem and playing through the pain barrier .

If that's the case, surely it's a tad daft for him to have started as many games as he has recently?

[jillcwhomever]

If that's the case, surely it's a tad daft for him to have started as many games as he has recently?

Klopp said in the interview they have been attempting to manage his injury while he continues to play. Sometimes that is what you do with an injury, such as Hendo had to do with his as well.

[Tobez]

To be honest what I want to see more then anything is players playing through the lines, the more vertical 'risky' passes that we were using to cut through teams earlier in the season. We could see a bit of a return to that against Chelsea, which was pleasing, and if we can get out of that habit of passing it side to side on the edge of the 18 yard box then I'll be a lot more happy overall. I know that sometimes there's a lack of movement up front or that there isn't an easy pass on, that keeping the ball is important especially if we've compromised our shape by pushing forward, but it is endlessly frustrating to see players dwelling on the ball and allowing teams to set up a low block which is almost impossible to get through. No matter what we say about players in lower-table teams, they're still Premier League footballers who can do the bread-and-butter defending for hours on end. It needs a bit of a risk, a bit of urgency and a bit of class to get through teams these days and this squad is definitely capable as we saw at the beginning of the season.

Very much looking forward to seeing a Lallana-Henderson-Wijnaldum midfield again!

[Gnurglan]

Another game where we need to make sure we don't get too slow. I expect Hull to mainly use the same tactics we have seen lately from our opponents. Sit back and defend. With Mane back, I think we will find ways to counter that, but it's important we don't just rely on him. Need to win this game.

[jillcwhomever]

Another game where we need to make sure we don't get too slow. I expect Hull to mainly use the same tactics we have seen lately from our opponents. Sit back and defend. With Mane back, I think we will find ways to counter that, but it's important we don't just rely on him. Need to win this game.

I don't get why they would sit back for this game. There at home and they desperately need the points. Also they have bought some attacking players in January, I would expect them to be more open, which will play into our hands.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Anyone have the gif/pic from 2009 when some woman at Hull was getting Mascherano and Kuyt's autograph ?

[vicar]

The game against Chelsea and to some extent Man City was high intensity which suits out approach and players.

We have to find a way of beating teams that don't want to press or play at a high tempo. Attacking a team that is sitting back for most of the game requires a completely different approach, something we have struggled with. Our build up play has been slow and ponderous, giving each team more time to re-set themselves, then we get frustrated and push high and get done on the counter.

For me its a combination of patience and needing to move the ball much quicker in transition and stretch teams more vertically. I think Mane might help this as his speed can help us get in behind. Lallana back in the midfield helps this too as he provides another option to hendo to deliver penetrating passes.

[BER]

Also re: Can. I have just read an interview in the Mirror in which Klopp is saying he has had an injury for the last couple of months. They have been trying to find ways of him managing the injury while he plays. He also said that it's a lot better than it has been. So maybe that is partly why he has struggled recently. He is still young Can, I wouldn't entirely give up on him yet. Having said that I think he will drop to the bench for today's game.

I can buy that as an excuse for his terrible form, might have even posted on here before about him physically/athletically looking nothing like the player of last season.
Makes the decision to keep starting him all the more dumbfounding though.

[jillcwhomever]

I can buy that as an excuse for his terrible form, might have even posted on here before about him physically/athletically looking nothing like the player of last season.
Makes the decision to keep starting him all the more dumbfounding though.

I think the explanation was that the medical team were managing his injury while he played on. Just as Hendo did with his injury. I guess if picking up an injury were resting is not going to cure it then you have to find an alternative way of handling it, and presumably this was what they were trying to do.

[LFCEmpire]

Actually shittin bricks atm... desperate for 3 points and smiling jurgen Come on lads, lets smash these....

[Sarge]

Actually shittin bricks atm... desperate for 3 points and smiling jurgen Come on lads, lets smash these....

Sounds painful i'd get that looked at.

[ToneLa]

Hull fans have made me roll my eyes in the past.

Let's shut em up today

[Rob17]

I want to see us make the right decisions in the final third, to often recently we have played the wrong pass or taken a shot from 30 yards typified by Lovren taking a shot from 35 yards against Chelsea.  Get back to basics pass the ball quickly and wait for the right pass!

[Phil M]

Smash these and get our confidence back please lads.

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

Was just thinking about that. When was the last time that happened? Sunderland at Anfield?

I'm off to Easter Road to watch HIbs this avvo and sorted the tickets while completely forgetting the 3pm kick off at Hull

Anyway, if we're full strength we should, should, do this lot. About a month ago I'd have said an easy three points for us, but we saw what they did against the Mancs in midweek. We'll either hammer them or it'll be a frustrating nil-nil. Given what is happening at Stamford Bridge, it needs to be the former. Up the reds!

[Always_A_Red]

Thats the spirit

As if my opinion makes any difference to the outcome