Hull City 3, Liverpool 0: Preseason Turns Ugly

By: Ed | July 23rd, 2011

Hull City 3: Brady 21′, Koren 33′, Simpson 58′
Liverpool 0

Let’s just get the standard “doesn’t mean anything unless someone looks good, then we’ll get really excited” proclamations out of the way—few conclusions can be made from any preseason match, and after the display today we’ll have to hope that the Liverpool we see on August 13th has little in common with the one we saw today. Disjointed and lacking in all areas in the first, unable to string anything together despite flashes of promise in the second, this will surely be one that all involved from a Liverpool perspective will be happy to dismiss as more a product of the preseason being the preseason than actual problems in this Liverpool side.

As expected, there were places in the squad for three of the summer’s new additions—Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing started on the bench, while Doni got the nod in goal behind a back line of Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Ayala, and Jack Robinson. Christian Poulsen was the deepest of the three central midfielders, with Conor Coady a bit further forward behind Alberto Aquilani. That left Joe Cole and Maxi wide with David Ngog alone up front as Liverpool started in a 4-1-4-1/4-2-3-1 mix.

Ostensibly the numbers in midfield should have allowed Liverpool to command play, but what unfolded was a half filled with Hull dominance and a complete lack of anything resembling positive play from Liverpool. Poulsen and Coady were unable to provide any sort of steel and Aquilani became increasingly isolated trying to link play, with most forward movements coming via lofted through-balls to a lonely (and frequently offside) Ngog. Things weren’t much better at the back, as Hull got two goals in just over ten minutes.

The first, while well struck (if a bit fortunate), was partially down to Conor Coady and Martin Kelly backing off, which left plenty of space for Robbie Brady to fling one past Doni into the far corner. The second was the pick of the day as Hull easily passed their way through the central part of the final third, leaving Robert Koren with acres of space at the top of the area to curl one in. Credit to Hull, but fantastically ugly from Liverpool.

We saw more of Liverpool’s “first-teamers” to start the second half, including Downing and Henderson, with Andy Carroll up front and Dirk Kuyt opposite Downing on the flanks. Henderson was active throughout the forward areas with Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing deeper in midfield; they provided the cover for a back line of John Flanagan, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Danny Wilson, and Emiliano Insua.

And it all started much better, as Downing had a chance saved by Basso on his first touch, and Liverpool finally looked competent moving forward. Still far too many hoofs for my liking, but Downing’s activity provided a spark that Liverpool had been missing for much of the first half.

So, of course, Hull got their third and it sent Liverpool off-kilter. Again down to a defensive lapse, Jay Simpson was played onside by Insua after Dele Adebola chested down past Danny Wilson, and Simpson poked past Brad Jones to give the hosts their third. Liverpool rebounded eventually, but the scoreline was too far gone to get anything other than some encouraging glimpses of potential.

Which is essentially what you’re looking for in the preseason—signs that progress is possible regardless of the scoreline, and that all parties involved come away healthy and better prepared when the time comes to do it for real. It doesn’t make the display or the result less frustrating; I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t care at all about the scoreline, or that it didn’t cause concerns about the as-yet unbolstered Liverpool back line. The absences of Daniel Agger and Raul Meireles, either for injury or something far more devious for the latter, are also concerning, as is the continued presence of Christian Poulsen and Joe Cole, both of whom are managing to look out of their depth far earlier than they did last season.

But preseason is a time for hope and positivity, and there’s no reason to start the doom and gloom just yet. The squad will be strengthened by, at the very least, those returning from injury (Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Pepe Reina, Meireles? Agger?) and international duty (Luis Suarez, Lucas), and the lapses we’ve seen in defense will no doubt be addressed. Downing and Adam were both strong in their own way after coming on, and Henderson looks to be energetic and adaptable going forward.

Time and training will make everyone a little sharper, and there’s no doubts that Kenny Dalglish and company will have the squad ready in three weeks’ time. At least we hope so.

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Category: Team News

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lfc80uk

So I am guessing that Kenny will be writing the next guest post for the site... Should be interesting :S
RedDownUnda

Shit. This is the fourth time I've read through the whole thing. Though now I'm beginning to suspect Kenny is actually Noel, in the guise of one of his weirder doppelgangers, evilly stirring the possum with us unsuspecting Reds. I mean, Kenny just can't be real can he?

Wouldn't surprise me if he's doing a bit of a click farmer 'pre-season' tester. Playing the absolute dick, duping us all to lash out at the reply button, thereby propelling LTO.com to the top of the Offside Blog Leaderboard for yet another season - before we've even started.

Shame on you Noel.
alcatrazzledazzle

Hey, if we're taking friendlies seriously, let's extrapolate! We're 2-0-1, which means if we keep this torrid performance up, we would end the season with 25 wins, 0 ties, and 13 losses. That's 75 points! Add Gerrard, Lucas, Suarez and Reina in the mix, and I think it's fair to say we have the Premiership in hand. (wipes hands clean) Done and done!
Ed

I'm conflicted about having someone troll--on the one hand it's annoying and moronic, but on the other hand it seems to have brought out some of our regulars' best work.

But in the future, let's go ahead and stick to the "having a different opinion is cool, abusing caps lock and acting twattish isn't" rule. It's served us well so far.
Khaine

Could we not feed the troll, please? This site is much to good for this kind of rubbish.
Ed

I'm just drinking a beer and clicking a "Like" button that's already faded to "Liked."
RedDownUnda

IMHO - it's that f*cking third strip. How can a true red ever play in Cyan/Cerulean/Sky Blue/Delft Blue/If-it-wasn't-nailed-to-that-perch-it-would-be-pushing-up-daisies Norwegian Blue? Bleeding obvious really - bury that goddawful shirt.

PS. Cadel Evans - 1st Aussie Tour de France winner (almost) and Webber on pole in Germany. Hey, two out of three aint bad.
Severed

Nobody on the pitch was worse than Joe Cole. He must have screwed up at least a dozen moves through poor control, bad decisions, wasting time or just delivering crap balls or aimless crosses. I actually automatically started inhaling every time I saw the ball going in his direction because I instinctively knew I was going to have to yell at the guy. Christian Poulsen provided more of an attacking threat than Cole. I don't expect him to be fully match-sharp, but when he KNOWS he's playing to redeem himself, I expect him to at least be competent.
DJ-Chutfield

I got roped into working at the last second so I didn't get to see the match. I am disappointed but honestly not too bothered by the scoreline. How many crosses did Downing attempt? I can only hope KK/SC/DC know we need more signings in defense and defensive mid.

I know there's been talk of Meireles being sold, but what did you mean by "something sinister" being behind Agger's omission? No one's ever considered the possibility of selling our finest defender, and why would we?
Ed

Just meant that with Meireles, should have added "for the latter." Thanks for the catch.
Ed

In case anyone's forgotten, this was just the third match of the preseason.
kenny

In case you have forgotten, this was also a preseason game for Hull, but yet they were able to play well.
Ed

Result!
Avinash Joshi

Shit I can't believe I actually read through the whole thing.
Russell

I actually thought we played pretty well, at least in the second half. I liked what I saw from Henderson, Carroll, and Downing, we just couldn't put it all together.
kenny

WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO REALISE THAT DALGLISH IS A COMPLETE BLUFFER?HE DOESNT HAVE THE RUTHLESS STREAK NECESSARY TO GET RID OF 40 FAGS A DAY JOE COLE,ZIMMER FRAME POULSEN AND THAT USELESS CUNT NGOG.IF YOU DONT AGREE-WE HAVE A FIRST TEAM SQUAD OF 35.WE ARE AN ABSOLUTE FUCKING FARCE.PLAYERS SEE US AS A RETIREMENT HOME.HOW LONG CAN DALGLISH LAST?THE OWNERS HAVE GIVEN HIM PLENTY.STEVE CLARKE IS WORSE THAN USELESS.9 GOALS IN 3 GAMES CONCEDED.THIS ALSO WRECKS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PLAYERS.WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BIG CLEAROUT?DALGLISH HAS ALREADY BOTTLED IT.CLARKE HAS ALREADY PUT HIS ARMS AROUND JOE COLE.WE ARE LIKE THE BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF IN THE 80s-35 USELESS CUNTS HAVE ALREADY GOT JOBS HERE.DONI HAS A GAMMY KNEE AND WE STILL SIGNED HIM.DALGLISH CANT HANDLE ANY CONFRONTATION SINCE HILLSBOROUGH.TERRIBLY SAD EVENT BUT DALGLISH IS OF NO USE TO US.WE NEED HIM TO GO.DO THE DECENT THING,KENNY.BE HONEST.
Lfc4ever

u try to use the name of kenny to write something bad about King Kenny. Your name is not Kenny , u r not Liverpool supporter. You just want Liverpool supporter to hate King Kenny. You just don want Liverpool Football Club become good. When someone ask you (fake kenny) to fXXX ox is just like ask King Kenny to. What is ur purpose? Get Lost! Don act like you are Liverpool Supporter.
kenny

Listen, not that is any of your business, but my name is Kenny. Are you happy with the 9 goals conceded already in preseason? There is no pattern to the play. It is disjointed garbage. Dalglish is more interested in playing golf then being a proper manager. A real manager would get tough with Carroll and get him to shave and chop off that ponytail.
Lfc4ever

Please go back to you man unixxx fan page. u r not welcome here! LFC no need fan like u!
kenny

Unlike you I am a LFC fan. You instead should go back to your pals in Manchester.
dsm9412

This isn't ironic?
mike

35 players? That's like 65 less than man city. At least all of them want to be reds.
kenny

Where are you getting all of them want to be reds? That is total naievity on your part. The dross at LFC are staying there because of the ridiculous wages the club agreed to pay them. There is a total lack of ruthlessness from Dalglish and Comolli.
Guest

Yo dude, wasn't sure if you were aware, but your caps lock was left on for the entirety of that message. Just so you know.
Thomas Hoppe

Kenny I think the problem with the bloated squad, and it is more like 45 players by the way, is that nobody wants Joe Cole, Christian Poulson, Nabil El Zhar (who is bigger than John Barnes now) and Phillip Degen. Konchesky handled the situation like a professional but Jovanavic and N'Gog are being difficult. And take it easy on Coady, he is only 18. I think a midfield two of Lucas and Henderson could be very effective this season. While I am sure you hate Lucas you should notice that without him protecting our centre halfs the defense looks very pathetic.
kenny

I do not like or dislike Lucas, he is not going to be a longterm midfield general like Hamann, Mascherano or Souness. The same Lucas that you laud played in midfield when the team lost 13 games last season. The central midfield should be Lucas and Agger.
Samosa

Get a grip mate, you clearly don't understand what pre-seasons are all about! You also don't seem to understand that the only way to get shut of players is to sell them, kenny is playing the dead wood players to raise their profiles and find clubs who want to buy them. Clarke is saying those things to make Joe Cole look like a good buy. Kenny knows exactly what he's doing, he's one of the most successful players/managers in football! You on the other hand have no idea what you're talking about!
kenny

Ive been a liverpool fan for 34 years-i know good players and these clowns are clueless.You never explained why we need 35 players in our squad.We are only playing 38 league games this season.Dalglish was a great player but he has never been a great manager.We are like a team of caterpillars in midfield Poulsen,Coady,etc and then our flair players like Joe Cole(GOD HELP US).DALGLISH NEEDS TO RESIGN.FANS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE NEED TO STOP POSTING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A LEAGUE WINNING SIDE AND KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE GAME.
Shankly99

(GOD HELP US) liverpool no need fan like u. 34years were too long for us! enough is enough! liverpool are BETTER without you (GOD HELP US AGAIN)
kenny

Shankly is rolling in his grave with the attitude of headless chicken fans like you. It was under Dalglish in the 80's that LFC's slide started with the failure to win back to back titles.
Mr Clueless

Fan for 34 yrs, really? Pity, you are none the wiser for all that experience. The transfer window has another month and week till it shuts down, so it is safe to assume all the business is not done yet. Unless you have an inside knowledge of the transfer dealings of the club, don't assume nothing is being done about removing the dead wood. I don't think trimming down the squad is as easy as taking the garbage out.

But hey, what the fuck do I know, I haven't been a fan for 34 yrs

For the rest of your concerns I refer you to Cheekyfellow : "LOL" (You must already hate me for not being part of the elite "been a fan for 34 yrs" club, god forbid i didn't caps lock at least my LOL s )
airamanna

34 years? Isn't that how long Roy Hodgson has been a successful, award-winning manager?
kenny

You are aptly named. The way to remove the deadwood is to ostracize them from any contact with the firstteam squad. Most of these deadbeats like Poulsen would still have aspirations of playing in the Euros next summer and their international managers are not going to pick a player who is not playing any football. I reiterate that playing these deadbeats does not work because they are totally and utterly useless.
Thomas Hoppe

Also Dalglish was pretty critical after the match of players that are ostensibly playing for their place in the team and did not perform
kenny

Deadbeats like Ngog,Poulsen and Cole are totally incapable of even outplaying Hull. Dalglish should stop deluding himself that these players are underperforming.
Cheekyfellow

lol
Russell

Wow. You should be ashamed of yourself. For everything he has done for this club, you decide to return the favor like this.

Serious question; are you even an LFC supporter? Or are you just a manc who wants to have a little laugh.
kenny

Listen Russell, noone is bigger then the club. I have been a LFC supporter since 1977. Dalglish's only remit last season was to avoid relegation but now the expectation this season is clearly too much for him. It is a disgrace to be losing to rubbish like Hull. Playing garbage players like Ngog,Cole and Poulsen to supposedly put them in the shop window is having the opposite effect as clubs are seeing how bad these players are.
Walkon75

Get Lost! Liverpool no need supporter like you
kenny

You are another ostrich with your head in the sand. Ever since Dalglish got his contract the team has played garbage and cannot stop conceding goals. So wake up!
alcatrazzledazzle

Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand. More facts like these, either about the animal kingdom or common internet decency, can be found by using the World Wide Web! Godspeed, kenny!
Russell

It's preseason man. And he took a team that was once in 19th place last season, brought the players in that he wanted, and brought us to 6th. I think he deserves his chance.
kenny

Wake up. This manager could not get his team to beat the might of Hull who were also in their preseason. So what if we finished 6th, if he had managed properly we would have finished in the top 4 instead LFC lost to the might of Blackpool,West Ham and West Brom.
Russell

If King Kenny had managed properly we would have finished fourth? I think he did enough last year as it is. I cannot imagine how you were when Hodgson was in charge.

Keep in mind our second half backline was made up of NO starters and our top two players are still away.
kenny

If Dalglish is such a great manager as you say, any team he put out on the pitch yesterday should have been good enough to beat Hull.
brother jon

panic much? you really shouldn't, it clouds your thinking.
i'm not saying the squad is completely sorted yet but you must be the only red around that doesn't think we're trying to ship cole, poulsen and ngog out.

or are you just another half-clever manc having a laugh?
kenny

I am an LFC fan since 1977. Dalglish and Comolli are making no effort to get rid of the deadwood because they are only interested in spending FSG's money on rubbish. Dalglish thinks being all niceynice with the players is the way but Evans tried this and the players got him the sack back then. Dalglish signed Carroll but has clearly made a mistake because Carroll clearly wants to go back to Newcastle. Carroll's beard is there to cover up his drinker's jowl. A real manager would get Carroll to cut his ponytail and get a short back and sides.
Rush61

A real Liverpool Supporter no need to mention so many times he is. He is what he is. A true Kopites. Where you are not belongs to. Please go back to ur own club fan page. Liverpool is not welcome you (fake kenny) and please if you don like KING KENNY please don use kenny as you name. I know you must say kenny is your real name. Really????????????
kenny

Listen. First of all don't be using the name of a striker who had a winning mentality, because you clearly do not. Noone is bigger then the club and that includes King Kenny. Too many weaknesses are being shown up in Dalglish's management.
LFC4life

I am sure YOU ARE MU supporter try to let TRUE LIVERPOOL SUPPORTER hate King Kenny.(oh please don use kenny, you are not kenny please.....................). If I am wrong, pleassssssssssssssse change to support MU. You are not belongs to LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB. You act more like them. Thank you and don hope to see you again!
kenny

It is no surprise LFC have not won a title since 1990 with looser fans like you. This blind faith in Dalglish is ridiculous. He left the club slide into decline in his first spell as manager. Dalglish does not have the ruthlessness to get rid of the crap in the squad and to get tough with Andy Carroll.
Walkon75

I am sure you are not Liverpool supporter, you don know what the meaning of supporting Liverpool? You don know what is Liverpool way. Don pretend you are when you are not. Get lost MU fan.
kenny

Who the heck are you to be telling me the meaning of supporting Liverpool. I am following LFC since 1977 and LFC are there to be winning League titles not being content with finishing nowhere every season while United win title after title. That was the LFC way before the loosing and settling mentality crept in from the mid 1980's.
Thomas Hoppe

Yeah I think you are right. I heard Comolli bought a laurie so he and Dalglsih can drive around the rubbish players they bought laughing at how they tricked the club into letting them destroy it as they are obviously agents of the mancs. Glad you sorted this out, you should work for Rupert Murdoch
kenny

How naive you are about transfer dealings. Take your head out of the sand.
Thomas Hoppe

you used to post on NESN didn't you? I would love to hear you go off on Arsenal
kenny

I am a LFC fan, what happens at Arsenal means nothing to me. They play lovely football, but they are soft and will never win the Premier League again under Wenger.
Mr Clueless

I think he already works for Rupert Murdoch and this is all an elaborate plot to take over Liverpool Offside, now that NOTW is a goner
Cheekyfellow

Adam, Henderson, Downing all in together for the first time-at least saw some more effort and play when these guys were in. I'm not sure why we're wasting preseason minutes with Cole/Poulsen. I think that first half showed that we can't have both of those in at the same time. I think it will be safe to say they won't be starting together next match.
prad

Kenny also said in the post-match interview that the players ran 10km the previous day, which is a full match distance, so it was essentially a game and a half in 2 days for each of them. Plus they traveled over that morning, which isn't ideal. Guessing those factors contributed to the display we saw (along with lingering jet lag from Asia maybe?).

Looking forward to seeing the real first XI in action with the return of Gerrard, Johnson, Lucas, Suarez and co
kenny

Gerrard is finished, LFC should cancel his contract. LFC should sell Carroll back to Newcastle. LFC should play Suarez at centreforward like Uruguay did in the last game and they should play Downing,Adam and Johnson in the 3 behind Suarez. They should play Agger in central midfield with Lucas.
LFC

KENNY SHUT UP! SERIOUSLY! PLEASE......
kenny

What is your problem? Are you one of these socalled fans that think all is well under Dalglish? Ever since he got his 3 year contract the team has played rubbish.
Signalflash

Cole and Poulsen have to go, and Liverpool have to learn to get up for games like this. There was a good interview with Kenny on the sideline after the game on LFCTV where he said this is the players' chance to get into the first team but it isn't going to happen for them with the effort they showed today.

The new guys looked fine, Carrol has to get quicker on the ball, and am I the only guy who likes Aquilani?
Mike

Of all the flops that are still on the payroll, it frustrates me that Aqua is the one rumored to go. I think he has plenty to offer and would love to see him play with Luis.
Ed

Re: Aquilani, you're not, and I think today he was a victim of zero support in the midfield. I've also resigned myself to his departure about five different times despite hoping he stays; the latest is that he's on loan to Fiorentina in the next week.
Thomas Hoppe

Not trying to shoot the messenger but how on earth can a club like Liverpool be tricked into loaning out a 27 year old International. This is nonsense.
Ed

Wish I had an answer, and had hoped that after the exit of Cecil and company there'd be less head-scratching.
Signalflash

Agreed, Ed. I'd love to see him get a chance with Suarez.