Liverpool FC v Hull City AFC: three key questions. The ECHO takes a look at the key questions before Saturdays Premier League clash with Hull. Will the Reds suffer a Euro hangover? The European hangover is one of the worst known conditions in football. It strikes in the immediate Premier League match following a European excursion. Slowing the players, zapping their energy and stripping them of confidence for the hustle and bustle of a domestic fixture. The European hangover is a dreaded side affect of both the Champions League and the Europa League - and Liverpool will have to deal with the effects tomorrow afternoon. Brendan Rodgers has already admitted that he cannot spend as much time on the training ground as he would like with the glut of fixtures Liverpool have had to navigate this season - but this was something that the Reds boss knew he would have to deal with and it was one reason why he spent upwards of £100m bolstering his squad in the summer. The Reds were well beaten on Wednesday night and the reaction from many was a little over the top, especially considering that the defeat came to the reigning European champions. Nevertheless, Rodgers needs to ensure that confidence is restored for Saturdays visit of Hull City. He must remind his men that Hull are certainly no Real Madrid - but Steve Bruces men are not to be sniffed at either. The Tigers have been beaten just once in their last five Premier League games and will feel as though they should boast a win over Arsenal if not for a last-minute equaliser from the Gunners. Defeat to Hull simply wont be tolerated, and the knives that are being sharpened for Rodgers summer recruits will start to come out. Hull will come to Anfield full of confidence and, with a manager who has frustrated the Reds in the past, they will look to spring a shock. Rodgers must ensure that doesnt happen otherwise the murmurs of discontent will start to become deafening. Will Rodgers stick with Balotelli? Brendan Rodgers is a manager who reacts. Theres no 60th minute substitutions or stubborn defence of players who arent performing when it comes to the Northern Irishman. If a Liverpool player doesnt perform under Rodgers they will be lucky to finish the half. And thats what happened to Mario Balotelli on Wednesday. The Italian toiled once again against Real Madrid and Rodgers hauled him off at the break. The only problem is, who does Rodgers turn to now? Fabio Borini hasnt been seen since September 20, when Rodgers played the Italian at Upton Park in the defeat to West Ham, while Rickie Lamberts chance against West Brom was swiftly halted as he struggled to make an impact. It was Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana that were asked to play in the most advanced roles in midweek and Rodgers may turn to the duo again for tomorrows game. But should he want to use a natural forward, who does he turn to? Will Balotelli be in the right frame of mind to play? Does he trust Borini or Lambert? Rodgers must find the answers to those questions should he want to navigate the games until Daniel Sturridge makes his long awaited comeback to the Liverpool team. Can the defence finally hold out? One clean sheet in 18 games. Its a statistic that is usually attached to teams in a relegation battle, not one that wants to finish in the top four. Rodgers has tried everything to get his back four to work. Hes changed his full-backs, rotated his centre-backs and tinkered with his formation - but the Liverpool manager has yet to find the right formula to keep a shut-out. Tomorrow, the Reds have another opportunity to steady the ship. They must take it and restore some much needed confidence. At this stage, even a 0-0 draw would at least give the defence the confidence that they can start keeping clean sheets again. Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren have tried to be the commanding presence that Rodgers requires but both men have proven to be a little over-eager and flattered to deceive so far this term. The full-backs, Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo or Glen Johnson, have also had issues, with them all too willing to disappear up one end of the pitch and leaving Liverpool exposed at the other. Simon Mignolet, meanwhile, continues to suffer a crisis of confidence in the Liverpool goal. Bruces men are likely to pose Liverpools leaky defence a number of problems on Saturday. The Tigers have scored in every Premier League game this season and have scored twice in each of their last six games in all competitions. The acquisition of Abel Hernandez in attack has been a shrewd one, the big Uruguayan provides an aerial threat and will be confident he can trouble the Reds. They will have to ensure that hes closely marked at free kicks and corners. Another player that could trouble the Reds is former West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Senegalese international has proven to be a shrewd signing by Bruce and hes scored four goals in Hulls last five games. His power and pace can give Liverpools defence problems. They also have six-yard box merchant Nikica Jelavic, who will punish Liverpool should they leave him unmarked. A clean sheet against Hull will go a long way to restoring confidence levels in the Liverpool back line.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 16:34:12 +0000
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