Hull City vs. Liverpool: Score, Report and Reaction from Premier League

Michael Dawson scored the only goal of the game on Tuesday to effectively end any UEFA Champions League hopes Liverpool had for next season.

The Hull City captain headed home in the 37th minute to lift the Tigers four points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, the defeat saw the Anfield club remain seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the chase for Europe's elite competition next season.

Even the handful of Liverpool fans in attendance at the KC Stadium could not argue that Hull did not deserve the three points after showing commendable spirit against a tired-looking Liverpool.

The Reds must now lift themselves for the contest to finish fifth in the Premier League ahead of Tottenham and Southampton to ensure a Europa League spot next term.

The match was notable for Liverpool supporters boycotting the game at the KC Stadium in protest of Premier League ticket prices.

The away end was sold out, but few fans were in attendance at the visitors' end of the ground.

"

Tonight's Hull boycott is not just about Liverpool supporters, it's about all football supporters in general being ripped off

— John Merrill (@paddock5) April 28, 2015"

Another man to miss out was Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was replaced by Joe Allen in midfield:

Hull City manager Steve Bruce kept the same team which won at Crystal Palace on Saturday:

Those Liverpool supporters who stayed away missed precious little to cheer about, however, as their team struggled to find their feet in the first period.

Simon Mignolet made a good seventh-minute stop on Robbie Brady, but there was little goalmouth action until the 25th minute when Mario Balotelli attempted a cheeky backheel which goalkeeper Steve Harper gathered.

In the 37th minute, though, it was the home side who took a deserved lead. After a Brady corner was cleared, Ahmed Elmohamady sent over a floated cross back into the area and Dawson rose unmarked to head home.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

There was further disappointment for Liverpool in the closing stages of the half, when Glen Johnson's run and cross looked to need just a touch from Balotelli, but the Italian striker did not reach the ball.

The second half showed little improvement for the visitors, but Harper did well to turn around a Jordan Henderson drive in the 63rd minute.

Liverpool desperately needed a change, and manager Brendan Rodgers agreed two minutes later as he took off Balotelli and Jordon Ibe for Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.

In the 69th minute, Martin Skrtel needed to be alert as Hull threatened on the counter-attack, with the defender providing a vital interception to thwart Sone Aluko.

But there was no disguising that this was a tired Liverpool performance—certainly in comparison to the vibrancy of Hull, who needed to build on their weekend victory to ease their relegation concerns.

Dame N'Doye could have sealed the three points for the Tigers with 10 minutes left as Hull again countered to set up a chance, but the forward dithered on the ball and Liverpool cleared.

Ultimately, it was a relatively comfortable victory for Hull, but the defeat is likely to raise further questions for Liverpool and Rodgers before the end of the season.

Selected Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet: A

The Belgian goalkeeper was possibly the only Liverpool player who could hold his head high after a disappointing team display. He saved well early on but was left cold by his defence on Dawson's goal.

Mario Balotelli: B

The striker's inclusion from the start came as a little surprise, and the Liverpool man looked slow and indecisive before his 65th-minute withdrawal for Lambert.

Michael Dawson: A+

The Hull City captain epitomised the hard-working spirit of his team during the game, and his opening goal for the Tigers was a just reward.

Post-Match Reaction