As always, match data from Stats Zone and Squawka.
Joy. Like the worst of last season, where Liverpool "won" the possession and passing battles by some distance, but very much lost the war.
Because Liverpool's attacking third passing was dreadful, especially considering how much possession the side had. 65.5% attacking third pass accuracy is the third-lowest of the season, behind only Everton away and Southampton at home. As a reminder, those two teams are currently 5th and 7th in the division; Hull were 13th, barely, going into yesterday's match. And only 19% of Liverpool's completed passes took place in the attacking third. That's the second-lowest tally of the season, behind the 2-2 draw at Swansea, and well below Liverpool's season-long average of 27%.
Because Hull outshot Liverpool. Hull, who had averaged 11 shots per match and 14 shots conceded per match going into this fixture. And had scored just nine goals all season. Compared to Liverpool's average of 16 shots per match and 24 goals going into this fixture.
Because Liverpool didn't register a single shot in the center of the six-yard box. That had been Liverpool's most prolific zone, with 32% of all shots (60 of 187) and 46% of all goals (11 of 24) prior to this match. Just one of Liverpool's 11 shots came from a "prime location" – either the six-yard box or the center of the 18-yard box – the 71st minute chance that Moses should have buried, which, if converted, almost certainly would have led to a different result.
Because Liverpool's attackers, especially Suarez, couldn't find a way through Hull's packed defense.
Because Jordan Henderson, despite his numerous talents, is not the one to play as the attacking midfielder against a side who sets up like Hull sets up. Zero shots, just one chance created, and compare his and Coutinho's passes when they played in the #10 role.
Because Glen Johnson also had an absolute nightmare. This is not what an attacking fullback's passing chalkboard should look like. Especially when he's facing deep-lying wing-backs. Especially when he's needed in attack because the fullback on the opposite flank isn't getting forward very often. And what's with all those hoofs forward, Glen?
Because of that massive hole in the middle of Liverpool's half in the above "tackles and interceptions" chalkboard, unable to make the tackles or interceptions which could have stopped the moves for Hull's first and third goals before they became threatening. Huddlestone allowed to amble forward for the third goal, barely faster than walking pace, without a Liverpool player even thinking about marking him was especially infuriating, no matter how many players were caught upfield in search of the needed equalizer. 14 tackles is well below Liverpool's average of 23 per match this season, and three tackles is well below Lucas' average of 5.1 per match this season.
Some credit goes to Hull, for the determined defense, for taking advantage of Liverpool's numerous mistakes – both tactical and from individual players – but this loss feels very much self-inflicted and very, very costly.
1 comment :
Agreed on the last statement. From the off the players seemed disinterested, like all our annoying defeats in previous seasons to teams at the bottom end of the table we appeared to "think" we could win the match without trying.
I wonder if going into the break down 1 instead of tied would have precipitated either a faster change to personel or a little more urgency out of the players in the second half.
So infuriating especially since I thought BR and "solved" most of those issues.
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