Liverpool vs. Hull City: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool huffed and puffed but they couldn't find the breakthrough against a resolute Hull City, as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Mario Balotelli was the centre of attention again, and he was denied a penalty in the second half—not the only call the home side had for a spot kick. The Italian was then unable to finish from six yards out in the final seconds, with Eldin Jakupovic saving after superb work from Philippe Coutinho down the left side for Liverpool.
Hull will undoubtedly be the happier of the two sides, they defended well but rode their luck at times, especially after Brendan Rodgers changed to two up front with Rickie Lambert's introduction on the hour mark. Liverpool were a far better side for the last half an hour, but couldn't find the winning goal they pushed for.
It was, however, a rare clean sheet for Rodgers' side—only their second of the season.
The result drops Liverpool down to seventh, while Hull move up to ninth.
Here are the winners and losers from the Premier League match.
Winner: Eldin Jakupovic
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Hull's third-choice 'keeper Eldin Jakupovic enjoyed the best day of his Hull City career in the match at Anfield.
The Bosnian, who spent much of last season on loan at Leyton Orient, was making just his seventh appearance for the Tigers since arriving at the club in 2012.
He denied Balotelli in the final seconds with a sprawling save, kept out Philippe Coutinho a minute before and was certainly City's best performer.
He was warmly applauded by The Kop at full-time and applauded them back.
"To be fair to the kid he's waited a long time," said Steve Bruce post-match. "He's an experienced goalkeeper, he just needs to get used to playing in England."
Bruce noted Jakupovic dealing well with Steven Gerrard's corners and set pieces.
Loser: Brendan Rodgers
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Rodgers will be the more disappointed of the two managers with the 0-0 draw. He commended his players post-match for a "great response" after the Real Madrid match, but admitted it was frustrating not to take all three points.
Liverpool looked a far better side once Rodgers changed the shape on the hour, playing Lambert alongside Balotelli, with Coutinho from the left and Raheem Sterling on the right—it's becoming very clear that Balotelli is much more productive with a player alongside him.
The two forwards combined well for one great chance and Rodgers said post-match that they "worked very well" together.
The manager should be applauded for changing things when he did, but questions over not starting two forwards, and dropping Coutinho, will be asked.
Winner: Philippe Coutinho
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The diminutive Brazilian must be wondering what he has to do to force his way into Brendan Rodgers' plans more permanently. He was the Reds' best player against Real Madrid in the week, was influential as sub at Queens Park Rangers last Sunday and was by far the best player after his introduction for the final half an hour here.
His early removal against Madrid midweek seemed to indicate that he, and Jordan Henderson, would start against Hull, but neither of them did.
Coutinho almost won it in stoppage time with a superb strike from distance—something that he seems to have improved of late, having finished so well against QPR and hit the woodwork with a powerful shot against Madrid.
After a slow start to the season, the Brazilian looks to be finding form and will be key to Liverpool finding theirs.
Loser: Dejan Lovren
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It was a much-needed clean sheet for Liverpool and their defence, which, in all honesty, was not tested too much—especially in the second half.
But there were still calls for concern, with Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel on the receiving end of Simon Mignolet's frustrations after the duo had dropped off too deep to allow Hull space on the edge of the box for a third time in five minutes.
Lovren, meanwhile, was also guilty of ducking out of a header at the attacking end from a superb free-kick delivery from Steven Gerrard in the first half. It was a chance you'd expect a commanding centre-back to be at least making a connection with.
He then completely fluffed his lines early in the second half on a set piece, after being played in by Balotelli.
Winner: Javier Manquillo
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Spanish right-back Javier Manquillo was recalled to the Liverpool side in place of Glen Johnson after missing the last two games against QPR and Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old was one of the Reds' better performers, getting forward well and defending ably too.
Emre Can in midfield was also a positive performer for Liverpool. He was perhaps unfortunate to be withdrawn for the final 20 minutes. He was tidy in possession and added some steel to the midfield—something Liverpool desperately lack at times.
Quotes collected first hand unless otherwise stated.
