Balotelli and Rodgers Lambasted: How Twitter Reacted to Liverpool's Loss at Hull

Liverpool travelled the length of the M62 on Tuesday evening to face Hull, who started the evening with just one point separating them from the relegation zone. Brendan Rodgers' charges made the motorway trip without Steven Gerrard, who was apparently nursing a knock picked up in the goalless trip to West Brom at the weekend:

Twitter seemed mildly disappointed, as many folks were relishing the opportunity to help the Liverpool legend celebrate an unfortunate anniversary:

Before kick-off, there was also much talk about Mario Balotelli's second start in a week. As Liverpool fans watched Luis Suarez score freely in Barcelona's demolition of Getafe, they had to face the prospect of changing the channel to watch Super Mario:

There was also some talk of Rodgers' job security if results didn't go his way:

"

3 years. £215m spent. The only cup Brendan Rodgers has lifted as a Liverpool manager... pic.twitter.com/3BXXBBTa7W

— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) April 28, 2015"

Liverpool fans used the game as a means of protesting spiralling ticket prices, choosing to buy tickets but not travel as a means of showing their disgruntlement. This method of objection was met with mixed reactions:

"

Only Liverpool fans are stupid enough to protest ticket prices by buying tickets 

— Nick Bulić (@Bulicinho11) April 28, 2015"

The first half an hour of play was relatively uneventful, but Hull were denied several chances to go ahead by a standout performance from Simon Mignolet:

"

mignolet deserves the golden glove for having to save our ass every match

— Narissa (@narissaLFC) April 28, 2015"

The Tigers finally made the breakthrough in the 37th minute when Michael Dawson headed home an Ahmed Elmohamady cross, thanks to some rather slack Liverpool marking:

"

Michael Dawson scores, and Steve Bruce goes wild! https://t.co/BqcY8z2A7g #HULLIV

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) April 28, 2015"

"

Liverpool fans #HULLIV pic.twitter.com/noKI9cQPQy

— TheoSignDaTing (@DaGamerzz) April 28, 2015"

Balotelli had a golden chance to put Liverpool level when a superb run from Glen Johnson set up a one-yard tap-in opportunity just before half-time, but the chance was not taken:

"

Glen Johnson has an accidental moment of competence, every other Liverpool player falls apart. perfect.

— oh you beauty (@natefc) April 28, 2015"

At half-time, Twitter was quite unimpressed with the Reds:

The Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter summed up the action nicely via the use of a teen drama series pun:

Many expected Liverpool to come out in the second half and apply some pressure, but the hour mark passed with few changes made by the visitors in the second half. Hull fans were delighted at the survival lifeline, but there was plenty of criticism and exasperation for the Reds:

"

I genuinely pity any Liverpool fans who are still brainwashed by Brendan Rodgers.

— Michael (@MichaelLFC28) April 28, 2015"

As the game drew to its conclusion, Hull started trending in the UK. It didn't make pretty reading for Liverpool fans:

"

Not sure which Hull player is having the testimonial, but it was good of #LFC to show up.

— Not Brian Kettle (@briankettle) April 28, 2015"

"

Can't wait for the inevitable "we were excellent" post match interview from Rodgers after losing to relegation-threatened Hull.

— Charles (@CO_CFC) April 28, 2015"

The game finished 1-0 to Hull, giving the home side three points, which might just make the difference in the relegation battle. It was a bad night for Rodgers but a good one for his counterpart:

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