Hull City v Liverpool preview

24 April 2009 10:26
Liverpool will go in search of the first part of the miracle they require in the Premier League title race when they travel to Hull City on Saturday afternoon.[LNB] The Reds' hopes of lifting a first league title in 19 years are fading following Tuesday's entertaining 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.[LNB]Rafa Benitez's side now trail leaders and defending champions Manchester United by three points, having played a game more, with only five matches remaining on their fixture list.[LNB]Members of the Liverpool squad have admitted that they are facing a steep, uphill task, but they are also refusing to quit in adversity and will hope to put pressure on United with victory in East Yorkshire.[LNB]The Reds could briefly return to the top of the pile on goal difference if three points are secured upon their first visit to the KC Stadium, with United hosting Tottenham in the evening kick-off, however, Hull will not prove easy opponents.[LNB]Phil Brown's men have their own concerns and, with only a stunning start to their debut Premier League campaign keeping them afloat, are continuing to slip further towards the relegation mire.[LNB]DamageThe 16th-placed Tigers have won only once in 17 league games, including last weekend's damaging setback to fellow strugglers Sunderland, and will be desperate to address that statistic against their visitors from Merseyside.[LNB]Bernard Mendy, who tormented Liverpool in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield in December, is expected to return to the Hull first XI after only making a second-half substitute appearance in the defeat at the Stadium of Light due to a bruised foot sustained in the previous weekend's loss to Middlesbrough.[LNB]Daniel Cousin (back) was thought to be close to contention to face Sunderland but missed out and Brown will hope the striker is available. [LNB]Captain Ian Ashbee will serve the second game of his two-match suspension after receiving his 10th booking of the season at The Riverside.[LNB]Liverpool have rocked by the news that skipper Steven Gerrard has been ruled out with the groin injury which has seen him fail to make an appearance in the Reds' last three matches.[LNB]It is therefore expected that in-form Yossi Benayoun will maintain his place as support for Fernando Torres, who is finishing the season on a high.[LNB]It remains to be seen who will get the nod to partner Jamie Carragher at centre-back, with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger exchanging roles as Liverpool have conceded a combined total of eight goals in their last two games in all competitions.[LNB]Possible starting XIsHull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Fagan, Mendy, Boateng, Kilbane, Geovanni, Manucho.[LNB]Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Kuyt, Mascherano, Alonso, Riera, Benayoun, Torres.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports