HULL 1-3 LFC: THE VERDICT

April 2009

Goals from Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt (2) helped Liverpool to a 3-1 victory over Hull City. Here's the pick of the post-match reaction.

The local paper
Only when Kuyt produced another poacher's finish was the result put beyond doubt and Liverpool can count themselves slightly fortunate that they were not facing superior opposition on a day when they were well short of their best. Having said that, in this kind of obstinate and battling form Hull will be nobody's pushovers in the run in to the end of the season and the increasingly well studied fixture list tells us that the Tigers entertain Manchester United on the last day of the current campaign. The problem that Liverpool have is that winning their own games is no longer enough and they will probably have to rely on two of United's opponents coming up with a pair of unlikely victories if their title dreams are to stand any chance of being realised. The glimmer of hope that still exists comes from the fact that while their title rivals may currently be coming up with the wins they need to keep their challengers at arm's length, they are not doing so with their usual ease. Spurs, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Blackburn have all given the reigning champions a run for their money in recent weeks and that is without even mentioning their defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Fulham. All the Anfield outfit can do is hope that a couple of United's opponents are able to inflict flesh wounds that are significant enough to turn into a mortal blow but at least there is a vulnerability to Ferguson's side which indicates that such a scenario, though unlikely, is certainly not impossible. Results are all that matter now and as long as Liverpool continue to keep up their side of the bargain on that score they will give themselves a chance and that is all that anyone can ask of them at this stage of the season.
Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

The tabloid
It was a simple gesture, missed by the majority of Hull's biggest crowd of the season, but Dirk Kuyt's goal celebration in front of jubilant Liverpool fans was a clear signal to Manchester United that the title race is not over yet. One of the Barclays Premier League's hardest-working strikers marked his 100th league appearance in England with two goals which briefly took Liverpool back to the summit and condemned unlucky Hull to their 12th defeat since they drew at Anfield in December.
Colin Young, Daily Mail

The tabloid
Former Liverpool schemer Nick Barmby was booked for overdoing his protests as the teams left the field at half-time. And there was worse to follow for Brown's men. Folan completely lost his head in a tussle with Skrtel and a wild kick at the defender earned him a red card. That dismissal ended any hopes Hull had of repeating their draw at Anfield and they will be without Folan for three of their final four matches. Brown threw on Daniel Cousin and Bernard Mendy for Barmby and Craig Fagan but within seconds Liverpool had doubled their lead, Kuyt heading home from close range after Skrtel shot into the ground. But Hull were handed some unlikely hope when substitute Cousin skipped free down the left and his low cross was swept home by Geovanni. Kuyt made sure of three priceless points with another close-range finish in the final minute after Myhill had pushed out Alvero Arbeloa's cross.
Brian McNally, Daily Mirror

The broadsheet
Rafa Benitez might have not been quite so philosophical had he known Manchester United were just a little more than an hour away from one of those eruptions which leave rivals bemused and dismayed at the futility of their lives. Perhaps as vitally, he hadn't seen the penalty decision which would help give United their latest impetus. Still, it was a remarkable performance by the Liverpool manager after this edgy preservation of a challenge to the leaders. Rafa was so relaxed he might have been sittin' on the dock of the bay rather than the rim of the United volcano. Running like a thread through every declaration, was the sense of a manager who, win or lose in the last strides of the race with United, believes his team have come to a new competitive level.
James Lawton, Independent

The player
It was a very difficult game and the pitch wasn't the best but we got the three points which is the most important thing at this stage of the season. The first half was very tough but fortunately Xabi scored with a great strike and with it coming just before half-time it was very important for us. We had to work hard in the second half and credit to Hull who kept working hard despite them having a man sent-off. Fortunately Dirk scored two goals in the second half for us and it was good to get the three points despite us not being at our best.
Emiliano Insua

The manager
We deserved to win so I'm happy - we got three points from a difficult game. It was difficult because they worked hard and were pushing. It's always dangerous (against relegation strugglers) because you know they will fight until the end. We talked about it before. We needed to be calm and challenge for every single ball. We were a little bit nervous because the pitch was terrible. The grass was long and it was very difficult to pass the ball. That means you can make mistakes when the other teams goes to press. But you have to accept this situation because it's part of the game, and we were better in the second half. We were a little bit nervous but we showed character.
Rafa Benitez

The opposition manager
I have no excuses for the sending-off. It was justified and it will be dealt with in house. That killed us, playing 10 against 11. They were already 1-0 up and then Caleb (Folan) has made it a big easier for them.
Phil Brown

The fan
Well done lads. Four more wins is all we can do, then we'll see where we are.
Jules33, Liverpoolfc.tv forums