Very few expected Hull City to do this well after they made their comeback to Premier League winning the Championship playoff last time out. Steve Bruce leaving the club at a crucial time, very late activity in the transfer market and a series of injury scares, nothing went their way but caretaker boss Mike Phelan should be proud of the job he has done since then. Seven points from five games in not bad at all.
Hull City were demolished 4-1 by Arsenal last week in the Premier League but came back to winning ways in the midweek with a 2-1 win over Stoke City in the third round of the League Cup. They will be underdogs when they travel to Anfield on Saturday to face in-form Liverpool but the Reds are a side against whom underdogs have a knack of getting away.
Fellow newly-promoted side Burnley upset Liverpool earlier this season and Mike Phelan should take an example from the major upset. Here is the predicted Hull City line-up against Liverpool.
Defence
Eldin Jakupovic should regain his place under the bar following his good showing so far in the League. David Marshall took the gloves from him in the League cup in the midweek and did decently but Jakupovic did very little wrong to lose his place in the Premier League.
Ahmed Elmohamady is likely to start in the right-back position. Jake Livermore did a decent job as an emergency centre-back this season to cover the injury scare but following the sending off against Arsenal last week, Harry Maguire is likely to slot into central defence. Curtis Davies, one of the best performers in the Premier League this season, will keep his place at the back. Andrew Robertson will start in the left-back position.
Midfield
Tom Huddlestone’s place in the starting XI is untouchable. The former Spurs midfielder will start as the defensive midfielder protecting the back four. Jake Livermore, with his enormous experience in the Premier League, should start as one of the box to box midfielders. Ryan Mason is likely to complete the midfield trio. Interestingly, all the three central midfielders are former Spurs players.
Attack
Robert Snodgrass has been in amazing form so far this season and is expected to retain his place on the right flank. Samuel Clucas should start on the left flank. Uruguayan international Abel Hernandez will spearhead the attack for the Tigers.
