Liverpool 0 Hull City 0, match report: Mario Balotelli fires blanks again as Brendan Rodgers's frustrations grow
Liverpool’s week of Anfield frustration continued as they were held at home to Hull City.
Brendan Rodgers was looking for a response to the midweek defeat to Real Madrid, but instead Steve Bruce claimed another valuable point at a tough venue.
A week after earning a draw at The Emirates, this was a courageous effort from Bruce’s side, particularly their defence who resisted a late onslaught.
Their third choice keeper, Eldin Jakupovic produced a series of fine saves to deny the hosts.
The chief protagonist started. The focus when he plays, the focus when he does not play – which he often manages to do simultaneously - Mario Balotelli was more involved than he has been for a while, but he will wonder how he missed a sitter with the last kick of the game, while also feeling he was denied a penalty after a shove from Alex Bruce.
Jakupovic wasted no time making an impression, producing a brilliant save to stop Dejan Lovren opening the scoring with a bullet header on ten minutes.
There was a bit more fluency to Liverpool’s play than in recent weeks, but the cutting edge remained elusive.
At least Balotelli’s application was much-improved. There was an encouraging moment just three minutes in when Balotelli closed down James Chester. The Kop applauded. Small acorns, giant oaks...
A goalless first half reflected the continued toils in Daniel Sturridge’s absence, however. There were encouraging pretty patterns in midfield, Lallana can be a delight and Emre Can’s change of pace from midfield is promising, but nothing to show for the embroidery. Jakupovic must have expected to be busier and he would be.
Hull’s confidence increased as the first half progressed and there was joy for the visitors down the flanks. Hatem Ben Arfa – several shirt sizes bigger than on his last appearance here for Newcastle – crossed for Jake Livermore on 42 minutes, but the shot at Mignolet was tame.
Then Hull finally had wait they’d waited 45 minutes for - a corner against a team with a set-piece allergy. Ben Arfa stepped forward, The Kop held its breath, and the Frenchman played it short. There might be more brainless decisions this weekend, but that will definitely be in the shortlist. It would be Hull’s only corner.
As the managers entered the substitution zone, the game had become scrappy.
Steven Gerrard was narrowly wide with the first meaningful effort of the second half on 60 minutes, and then the changes came. Coutinho replaced Allen, Lambert was summoned for Lallana was Rodgers changed shape.
The new arrivals lifted the atmosphere and Balotelli almost headed Liverpool ahead on 64 minutes, Hull somehow surviving a goal-line scramble.
There was more attacking impetus towards The Kop, Jakupovic pushing Coutinho’s drive over, and the Hull defenders were throwing themselves into heroic last ditch challenge.
Balotelli could not believe Bruce was not penalised for a shove in the penalty area, but his best chance game in the fourth minute of injury time.
Coutinho’s wizardry picked him out, but the Italian fired straight at Jakupovic from six yards.
