Liverpool v Hull: Defensive frailty in both camps means goals

Liverpool’s first chance to banish the painful memories of Real Madrid’s midweek visit to Anfield comes against a Hull side blessed with plenty of attacking gusto, but like the Reds, the Tigers are weak at the back.

Ladbrokes are fully expecting Liverpool to bounce back with victory at 4/9, while Hull – who are unfortunate to lose both Michael Dawson and Nikica Jelavic for the Merseyside trip – are 13/2 outsiders despite almost beating Arsenal on the road last time out, with the draw at 7/2.

We can’t quite decide how the points will be divvied come the final whistle, so instead focus our three best bets around goals:

Away goals over 0.5 @ 2/3

This bet should be safer than the crown jewels if Liverpool’s last five Premier League home games are anything to go by.

The Reds’ leaky back line have afforded exactly one goal to all of those visitors, while Hull are one of only three teams to have scored in all of their league games this season.

Over 3.5 goals @ 29/20

Hull’s last three visits to Liverpool have seen their hosts score 10 goals across them, bagging at least twice in all of those.

Meanwhile, Hull dished out a 3-1 win at the KC Stadium last season and have now drawn their last two away games in the league 2-2.

Steven Gerrard to score v Hull @ 9/5

Liverpool’s skipper and penalty taker harbours a fine record against the Tigers since they returned to the big time.

Mr Liverpool has notched three in his last two Anfield starts against Steve Bruce’s charges and has already bagged three goals in a red shirt this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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