Preview: Reds to tame the Tigers?
The euphoria that reigned among Liverpool fans when the club recorded a vital 3-1 win over Cardiff to enter Boxing Day on top of the Christmas Tree has quickly faded. Competition in the 2013/14 Premier League is so tight that every victory is rewarding and every error is costly.
“We've had two really tough fixtures against two of the strongest squads in the Premier League. To get them back-to-back at this time of year was always a big ask and with so many injuries as well,” manager Brendan Rodgers told the press after Sunday’s defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“Christmas Day eating our turkey we were top of the league. A few days and games later we're fifth. I think that's the way it will go between now and the end of the season.
“I think it's brilliant and it makes it really exciting,” he concluded on this matter.
But before Liverpool’s Top Four Finish ambition suffers a blow, good results will need to come by. Expectations ahead of the Hull City game on New Year’s Day are high and a few factors make the clash even more thrilling. The Merseyside Reds shockingly lost the first leg of this meeting, commencing December on a bad note before bouncing back with four wins on the trot marked by Luis Suarez’s heroics.
So will Anfield’s home crowd enjoy revenge on Matchday 20? It may not be a good time to play the Tigers. Aside being capable of boasting about their historic 3-1 victory at home to Liverpool a month ago, Hull City can build more confidence following their remarkable 6-0 demolition of Fulham last weekend.
However, Liverpool have won eight of their nine home games while Hull will want to avoid losing for the seventh time away from home. The Merseyside could leapfrog city rivals Everton in fourth position if the latter drop points away to Stoke City. Meanwhile, the Tigers will maintain their mid-table position no matter what happens at Anfield, provided Swansea, Stoke or Aston Villa don’t claim three points on New Year’s Day.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Liverpool vs Hull City live on Wednesday, January 1, 2014:
In Canada at 10:00 ET
Canada | Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet Ontario, TalkSport Radio,Sportsnet World Online, Sportsnet East |
In UK at 15:00 BST
United Kingdom | LFC TV Online |
In USA at 10:00 ET
United States | TalkSport Radio, DirecTV, NBC Sports Live Extra, Premier League Extra Time |
Visit the Liverpool-Hull match page to know where to tune in, if you live outside these three countries. Enjoy live scores on our website during the game.