Second best: Hull's Paul McShane (left) clears the ball
from Liverpool striker Andy Carroll
Liverpool's preparations for the new
Barclays Premier League season suffered an unhappy setback after
they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Hull City.
All eyes going into this game were on £20million
winger Stewart Downing and £16million midfielder Jordan Henderson,
who were included in Liverpool's squad for the first time since
their respective moves from Aston Villa and Sunderland.
But it turned out to be a forgettable afternoon
for Kenny Dalglish's men, as they rarely threatened to create any
chances and were undone by their enthusiastic hosts, who
capitalised on some poor defending to run out easy
winners.
With the new recruits consigned to the bench for
the opening 45 minutes, there was a chance for some with questions
hanging over their Anfield careers – such as Joe Cole and Alberto
Aquilani – to provide Dalglish with a reminder that they may be
able to force their way back into his plans.
Liverpool, however, were rather one-paced during
the first half and the home side took maximum advantage, charging
into a two goal lead. Most significantly, they kept Liverpool's
attack comfortably at arm's length during that period.
Both Hull's goals would have graced a far bigger
occasion than this pre-season friendly. The first came on 21
minutes from Robert Brady, who bent a right-footed drive past
Liverpool goalkeeper Alexander Doni after skipping inside a couple
of timid challenges.
Plus point: Dalglish and Carroll will have been
encouraged by Downing's supply of crosses
The second, which arrived on 34 minutes,
was even better. Skipper Robert Koren was allowed to advance
forward and, after playing a one-two with Aaron McLean, worked an
angle to shape a left footed drive tantalisingly past Doni's
flailing arms from 25 yards.
At the other end, Hull keeper Peter Gulacsi – who
has only just moved to the KC Stadium on loan from Liverpool –
remained untroubled. His old team-mates lacked imagination and
seemed intent only on hitting long balls up to David Ngog. It was
not a tactic that yielded any success.
Failed to shine: Charlie Adam
As had been the case in their previous
friendlies in China and Malaysia, Dalglish sent a completely new
line-up out after the re-start and, with Downing, Henderson, £9m
summer signing Charlie Adam and £35m record signing Andy Carroll,
it was much more interesting.
Sporting a pair of garish yellow boots, Downing
almost made the perfect start to his Anfield career, exchanging
deft passes with Dirk Kuyt before cracking a right-footed drive
that forced Adriano Basso, Hull's replacement keeper, into evasive
action.
There were some neat interchanges between
Henderson and Downing and both Dalglish and Carroll will have been
encouraged by Downing's determination to fire in crosses as soon as
he received possession out wide.
Any hopes that Liverpool would fashion a
comeback, though, were dashed on 58 minutes when Jay Simpson took
advantage of some lax marking and poked a finish from 12 yards past
Brad Jones after Dele Adebola had chested a cross into his
path.
This might have only been Liverpool's third game
since reporting back from their summer break but the fact they have
conceded nine goals in that period means Dalglish and his staff
have plenty to work on before the serious business
begins.