Liverpool's Champions League hopes were dealt a major blow this evening as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of struggling Hull City at the KC Stadium.
Michael Dawson nodded home the only goal of the game eight minutes before half time to give the hosts a win that takes them four points clear of the bottom three.
The visitors could not muster a response despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, leaving them still seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with four games remaining.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at a significant midweek meeting at both ends of the table.
Match statistics
HULL
Shots: 7
On target: 4
Possession: 31%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10
LIVERPOOL
Shots: 12
On target: 9
Possession: 69%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
The statistics above suggest that this was a classic smash-and-grab victory for the hosts, but to describe it as such would be doing Steve Bruce's side a disservice. They did spend the majority of their time defending and chasing the ball, but that was a gameplan that worked very well for them, particularly after they had taken the lead. They also posed a threat in attack throughout and, while they packed the middle of the park with bodies, it would be a stretch to say that they parked the bus.
Simply put, Liverpool didn't do enough to play through them. Considering that they had more possession and more shots, defeat is perhaps harsh on the visitors, but their domination of the stats is a little misleading. Of their nine shots on target, only one really tested Steve Harper in the Hull goal, with the rest being routine stops for the veteran. The vast majority of their possession came in unthreatening positions in front of the defence too.
Neither side would have been able to argue with a draw this evening, but if either deserved to win then it was Hull. Liverpool created more shooting opportunities and could have been more clinical in their finishing as well as their build-up play, but Hull also had an effort cleared off the line in the first half so could have won the match by a two-goal margin. A share of the spoils probably would have been the fairest result, but it is hard to begrudge the hosts the win.
Hull's performance
With four of the top six to face in their final five games, Bruce acknowledged that his side would have to beat one of the big boys if they were to stay up. He may not have been expecting that victory to come so soon, but he will be beaming with pride following his side's performance tonight. The hosts were lively in attack during the first half, with Sone Aluko, Robbie Brady and Dame N'Doye causing Liverpool problems, while their defensive performance throughout was superb.
They did not allow Liverpool a way through and, with the exception of the occasional spark from Philippe Coutinho, contained the visitors' attacking threat relatively comfortably. It was a brilliant rearguard action from the hosts, especially in the second half, as they nullified everything Liverpool could throw at them. Admittedly, the Reds weren't at their attacking best, but Hull kept their shape throughout and put in a fiercely disciplined performance.
There were no passengers this evening as every player gave everything for the cause - exactly what Bruce would have wanted going into a relegation battle. There is still work to be done, but they could have barely chosen a better time to string together back-to-back victories. This result and performance will give them huge confidence in the tricky matches to come over the final weeks of the campaign, and their chances of staying in the division have been improved significantly tonight.
Liverpool's performance
It is looking increasingly like Liverpool gave up on their Champions League ambitions following back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal. United's loss to Everton on Sunday seemingly opened the door for the Reds but, following an uninspired and tepid display against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Liverpool were again thoroughly disappointing tonight. With one or two exceptions, they simply didn't appear to be up for the fight.
There was a lack of quality in the attacking third, which prevented Brendan Rodgers's side from turning their possession into goals. Hull defended admirably, but Liverpool didn't do enough to test the home defence, with Coutinho the only player who really looked capable of picking holes in the opposition. Their attack was too narrow as the disappointing Raheem Sterling continually cut inside, merely exacerbating the problem of a congested central area. Mario Balotelli's lack of runs in behind the defence also contributed to that.
Liverpool did have opportunities to get something out of this game, with Jordan Henderson and Coutinho both coming close in the first half and Glen Johnson flashing the ball right across the face of goal, but in the end they couldn't find an answer for Hull's stubborn defensive work. The Champions League is now surely out of reach for Liverpool and, if they don't improve soon, the Europa League may also begin slipping away. Four points from the last 15 available is simply not good enough for a side chasing Europe.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Michael Dawson: There were a number of standout performers for Hull this evening, but it was their defensive work which really shone through. Dawson was right at the heart of that as they kept their shape and rebuffed every Liverpool attack. He also chose a handy time to get his first goal for the club, taking his header really well to give his side all three points.
Biggest gaffe
Balotelli has received plenty of criticism for his lack of movement up front this season, but it was in defence that he was at fault this time. The striker was too slow to clear out from a corner, playing Dawson onside on the second ball and free to nod in the only goal of the game.
Referee performance
Lee Probert had a relatively quiet game this evening, with no major talking points in either penalty box. He was a little lenient on occasions, both with awarding free kicks and showing yellow cards, but on the whole it was a solid display.
What next?
Hull: Things don't get any easier for Hull, who will look to make it three wins on the bounce for the first time this season when they host Arsenal on Monday night.
Liverpool: Liverpool, meanwhile, take on Queens Park Rangers at Anfield on Saturday as they look to end a three-game winless streak.
No Data Analysis info
