The Tigers are Saturday’s visitors to Anfield as Liverpool take on their Premier League rivals at the traditional kick-off time of 15:00 hours (BST). Fernando Torres returns to action after sitting out Liverpool’s Carling Cup win at Elland Road. The striker, who watched on from the bench, witnessed his teammates carve out a 1-0 victory courtesy of a David Ngog strike midway through the second-half.

On the Spaniard’s last outing for Liverpool he hit two goals in his club’s 3-2 victory away to West Ham. Fernando opened the scoring with a fine solo goal, before grabbing the winner with a powerful downward header following some good work by Babel out on the wing. His brace at Upton Park took him to five goals for the season, just one strike behind the league’s current top goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.

Hull, who are in their second season in the top-flight, go into Saturday’s clash third from bottom. A poor run of results has seen Phil Brown’s side pick-up just four points from six matches.

This week also saw Hull City knocked-out of the Carling Cup by Everton. A weakened Tigers’ side were beaten at home by the blue-half of Merseyside 4-0.

Liverpool have never lost to Hull winning 11 of the 14 meetings to date. Last season the sides fought out a 2-2 draw at Anfield. The visitors shocked the Merseysiders early on as a strike from Paul McShane and an own goal from Jamie Carragher gave Hull a two goal with barely 20 minutes gone on the clock. The Reds though were level by half-time with Gerrard grabbing both the goals.

Rafa Benítez’ team lie third in the table behind leaders Chelsea and second-placed Manchester United. The Reds are level with Aston Villa and Manchester City on 12 points, although both clubs have a game in hand on Liverpool.

The Merseysiders’ next match is away to Fiorentina as the Champions League takes centre-stage. Tuesday’s match in Italy will be the first meeting between the two clubs in European competition.

Photo: J.A. Sirvent