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Balotelli missed a good chance in the closing stages. PA Wire/Press Association Images
Bore draw

Liverpool held by resolute Hull in dull affair

An awful week for Liverpool ends in disappointing fashion.

LIVERPOOL SPURNED THE chance to end a difficult few days with a win as they were held to a 0-0 Premier League draw by Hull City on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers’ sidewere convincingly beaten by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Mario Balotelli’s performance and half-time shirt swap causing controversy.

However, Rodgers kept faith with the Italian for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Anfield and the former Milan striker went close twice in the second half – incredibly hitting an effort straight at Eldin Jaukopovic from five yards with the last kick of the game.

Liverpool’s attacking ranks looked disjointed at times as they missed out on the chance to record a third consecutive top-flight victory, although their first clean sheet at Anfield since March will serve as a small positive.

Steve Bruce’s side are now three unbeaten on the road after a solid defensive showing stifled to hosts, adding to last weekend’s point picked up at Arsenal. Hull rarely looked like grabbing a first win at Anfield , but they did display the defensive tenacity that kept them afloat in the top flight last term.

Robbie Brady – replacing the injured Andrew Robertson at left wing-back – struggled to get to grips with Raheem Sterling early on and the former Manchester United trainee was perhaps fortunate to see the England man pulled up for handball after bundling him over in the penalty area.

Dejan Lovren’s header was then kept out by Ahmed Elmohamady on the line after nine minutes before Balotelli was denied by Jakupovic from a narrow angle, though Hull’s third-choice goalkeeper, making a rare outing due to injuries to Allan McGregor and Steve Harper, was rarely tested.

The one-time Switzerland international was made to work by team-mate Alex Bruce however, when his sloppy backpass almost allowed Balotelli in on goal, while the centre-back was perhaps fortunate to see a heavy tackle on Adam Lallana in the box go unpunished, though home appeals were muted.

Having sat deep for much of the half, Hull found their feet just before the interval with Jake Livermore bringing a save out of Simon Mignolet after good work from Hatem Ben Arfa on the right before a fierce Tom Huddlestone volley deflected just wide off Martin Skrtel. Liverpool dominated after the break and Balotelli looked set to register his first league goal for the club just after the hour but an acrobatic clearance from Brady kept the scores level and Sterling’s firm effort on the rebound was gathered comfortably by Jakupovic.

The frustration continued for Liverpool and Balotelli as a third penalty shout was waved away after a clumsy challenge from Alex Bruce before the Italian spurned the final chance of the game.  Substitute Coutinho crossed after good work down the left and Balotelli could only hit his effort at the goalkeeper as Hull clung on for a point.

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