Gerrard rescues Reds

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored twice to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with Hull City.

Tigers earn a deserved point to upset league leaders

Liverpool's inspirational captain Steven Gerrard was forced to drag his side from two goals down and rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Anfield. League leaders Liverpool welcomed the Tigers to Merseyside well aware that a victory would secure a four-point cushion over title rivals Chelsea, who host West Ham on Sunday. However, Reds manager Rafa Benitez - who left under-fire striker Robbie Keane as an unused substitute - was forced to settle for a frustrating point for the third home game in succession on the back of stalemates with Fulham and the Hammers. The first half provided a thrilling advert for the Premier League as City deservedly found themselves two goals in front inside 22 minutes courtesy of a Paul McShane header and a calamitous Jamie Carragher own goal. But Liverpool, who have made a habit of coming from behind this season, were back in contention two minutes later as Gerrard prodded in a Dirk Kuyt cross. England midfielder Gerrard then remained calm to restore parity from 10 yards out as he again beat Boaz Myhill on 32 minutes after a clever pass from Yossi Benayoun. Benitez saw his side dominate the second half, but the Reds could not find a winner as Phil Brown's Tigers battled to leave with honours even. Benitez reverted to the same side which won at Blackburn last weekend, which meant Keane was on the bench and Sami Hyypia preferred to Daniel Agger.

Pressure

City made just one change from the side which beat Middlesbrough last Saturday, the excellent Bernard Mendy taking over from Dean Marney, who was on the bench. And although City were put under instant pressure, they soon started to confront Liverpool all over the pitch, working out that Andrea Dossena has limited pace and Reina does not take kindly to being pressured. City could have been ahead after five minutes when full-back Sam Ricketts burst down the line, brushing Benayoun aside, and fed Nicky Barmby on the left. There were loud appeals for a penalty when the former Liverpool man's cross looked to have struck the arm of Javier Mascherano as he slid in to clear for a corner. The appeals were waved away but it was no surprise when City took the lead after 12 minutes. A Geovanni free-kick sailed right across the box and was knocked back into the danger area by Marlon King, where McShane rose to head into the top corner. The Tigers were full of pace, drive and desire and after 22 minutes they scored again. After switching the play from left to right, via King's long ball, Mendy went past Dossena once more and pulled the ball back into the six-yard box, where Carragher turned it high into his own net. Just a minute later, however, Liverpool pulled one back. Kuyt surged down the right and fired in a low cross which fell for Gerrard to clip home from six yards. McShane was booked for body-checking Gerrard and never seemed to recover from the blow, being replaced two minutes later by Marney.

Tremendous

And in what was now a tremendous match, Liverpool were level after 32 minutes, again through Gerrard. Carragher's cross was headed down by Kuyt for Benayoun to hook on, giving Gerrard a 10-yarder for the equaliser. Marney was booked for a foul on Hyypia two minutes after the break, the game continuing at the same rip-roaring pace. Liverpool almost took the lead after 59 minutes when Hyypia's downward header from Gerrard's corner hit the foot of a post. City, who have been excellent away from KC Stadium all season, were more content to defend and hit on the break, with Geovanni seeing one run end with a low drive that went wide of the far post. Alonso curled a 20-yarder just over the bar, with Liverpool sending on Moroccan winger Nabil El Zhar for Benayoun after 74 minutes. Three minutes later Dean Windass came on for Barmby in only his fourth league appearance of the season. Myhill then saved well from El Zhar, diving on the ball to halt Gerrard in the six-yard box. After 82 minutes Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Riera, before El Zhar was booked for a foul on Kamil Zayatte. Lucas Leiva came on for Mascherano with four minutes left, the Argentinian having failed to stamp his usual authority on the match but Liverpool were unable to find a winner.

Liverpool	Team Statistics	Hull City
2	Goals	2
2	1st Half Goals	2
5	Shots on Target	3
14	Shots off Target	6
8	Blocked Shots	2
8	Corners	4
11	Fouls	8
3	Offsides	4
3	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
79.4	Passing Success	58.6
22	Tackles	33
63.6	Tackles Success	81.8
67.2	Possession	32.8
62.8	Territorial Advantage	37.2