Lat match : LIVERPOOL 2 - 2 HULL CITY

LIVERPOOL 2 - 2 HULL CITY Saturday 13 December 2008 15:00 , Barclays Premier League

GERRARD DOUBLE RESCUES POINT FOR REDS

Liverpool have gone two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after Steven Gerrard scored a first-half brace to help Rafa Benitez's men come from two goals down and draw 2-2 with Hull City at Anfield.

The Reds might only have the extra breathing space at the top of the table until Chelsea take on West Ham United tomorrow, but this enthralling match proved that it takes more than a couple of early goals to beat this resurgent Liverpool side.

First in the league and fresh from topping their Champions League group courtesy of their midweek triumph in Eindhoven, Liverpool went into the match hoping to stretch their lead at the summit of English football.

However, having witnessed back-to-back stalemates in our last two league encounters on home turf, the Anfield faithful may have been somewhat concerned by the Tigers' impressive away record.

With 15 goals to their name prior to kick-off, only Chelsea had found the net more times on their travels than Phil Brown's men and with victories at Arsenal, Newcastle, Spurs and West Brom already under their belt, they will have been undaunted by the prospect of a trip to the league leaders.

In fact, they had the first real opportunity of note when skipper Ian Ashbee headed a corner over the top on five minutes.

It sparked an instant reaction from Liverpool, as both Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera saw shots blocked before the Spaniard miscued when a searching corner from the left found him unmarked at the far post.

The Reds were looking to avoid three successive goalless draws in the league for the first time in their history and could have gone in front on 10 minutes when Dirk Kuyt came within inches of adding the finishing touch to Xabi Alonso's dangerous free-kick.
It was a moment they would rue just seconds later when defender Paul McShane out-jumped Andrea Dossena to steer a header into the top corner of Pepe Reina's net and stun the home crowd.

But Liverpool looked to make amends straight from the restart. Dirk Kuyt almost ended the home goal draught when he went within a hair's breath of converting Andrea Dossena's superb run and cross.

It was a nervy moment for Hull but their dream start got even better when Marlon King's magnificent cross field ball found Bernard Mendy in space on the right. The defender turned winger surged to the byline and sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal which the unfortunate Jamie Carragher could only turn into his own net.

The visiting support could barely believe their eyes.

An instant reaction was required if Rafa and co were to avoid more Anfield angst and once again it was the skipper who dragged the Reds back into it.

Kuyt found space down the right on 24 minutes and, although his dangerous cross was flicked clear by a desperate Tigers' defender, Gerrard was on-hand to steer the ball home.

It was an incredible start to the proceedings, and with Liverpool sensing that another sensational comeback was on the cards, they set about turning the visitors' dream into a nightmare.

Then Gerrard struck again to get the Reds' back into the match on 32 minutes.

Carragher swung in a cross on the left flank for Kuyt to head down before controlling well and finding Benayoun, who looked up and played in the advancing Gerrard. Then the Reds' skipper made no mistake with a smart finish into the top corner.

Liverpool continued to press forward and went in search of a third, but both teams went into the break level after a fantastic 45 minutes.

Shooting towards the Anfield Road end, the Reds made a bright start to the second half and continued to probe the Hull rearguard.

Gerrard made a series of forays forward, while Kuyt found some space across the front line.

And it was from a Gerrard corner that Liverpool had the best chance of the second period. The Reds captain swung in a pinpoint corner for Sami Hyypia to head goalwards, but the Finnish international's powerful effort bounced off the left-hand post for the Hull defence to clear.

But Hull continued to threaten and went straight down the other end to whip in another fierce shot over Reina's goal. It seemed that every time Liverpool went forward, Hull were never afraid to reply with equal measure.

Introducing veteran striker Dean Windass to the proceedings in place of former Red Nick Barmby on 77 minutes suggested that Phil Brown wanted more than just a point from this encounter, but Rafa Benitez also made moves to win the match and introduced Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to the action.

But despite pressing for a winner throughout the second period, Hull hung on to claim a point from this riveting encounter. This match came loaded entertainment value for the neutrals, but it will also be laced with more frustration for the Reds as they could only manage a point at Anfield for the third league game in a row.
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Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Kuyt. Subs - Agger, El Zhar, Babel, Ngog, Leiva, Cavalieri, Keane

Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayette, Ricketts, Barmby, Ashbee (captain), Boateng, Mendy, , King. Subs - Warner, Garcia, Marney, Cousin, , Halmosi, Windass

Referee: A Wiley

Conditions: Fine

Attendance: Unknown

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

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