Liverpool face Hull City at Anfield on New Years Day in a game they’ll be desperately hoping to get back to winning ways following successive away day defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea. Liverpool were top of the Christmas Tree (sorry) following a run of four wins including a 5-0 decimation of Spurs – perhaps Liverpool’s best away day display in the premier league era and a four goal master class from Luis Suarez vs. Norwich – perhaps the best individual display Anfield has witnessed in over two decades.
The last time Liverpool met Hull was the preceding game to their recent run of results in which Liverpool lost 3-1 in a very poor performance all round; since then Hull have cemented their place among the relative safety of midtable. Following an impressive performance vs. Manchester United – which ended in defeat, Hull have put in their most impressive victory in years in which they put six past relegation candidates Fulham.
Now sitting in 10th place Hull can go to Anfield with the shackles off in the hope of doing the double over Brendan Rodgers’ men. One worry for Bruce’s side is their poor away form – they’ve failed to win any of their last seven league away games.
Luis Suarez will be aiming to get on the score sheet for the first time in three games and carry on his superb form of 2013, in which he scored 29 goals in 27 league games, into the New Year - one would worry for Hull in that respect.
Liverpool, ravaged by injuries, will be without Sakho, Allen, Sturridge and Enrique while there’s a chance Gerrard and Flanagan may return. Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday at Anfield.
