A Dirk Kuyt double helped earn Liverpool a 3-1 victory over 10-man Hull City on Saturday afternoon. The Dutchman fired twice in the second half after a beautiful opener from Xabi Alonso. Rafa Benitez made three changes to the side which drew 4-4 with Arsenal on Tuesday. Martin Skrtel replaced Daniel Agger in the centre of the defence, with Emiliano Insua coming in for Fabio Aurelio at left-back. Lucas Leiva also returned the Liverpool midfield replacing Albert Riera.

With Manchester United facing Tottenham in a late kick-off, the Reds went into the clash requiring all three points to return to the Premier League summit. A victory would pass the pressure back to the reigning champions.

It was a cagey start from both teams, but after a slow start, it was the Merseysiders who were to create the first chance. Fernando Torres, who was one goal away from his 50th for the club, was denied by an excellent save from Myhill in the Hull goal.

The home side almost went in front on 17 minutes. Geovanni controlled well just outside the Liverpool box before curling a shot narrowly wide of Reina’s far post. A close shave for the Reds.

It was a fairly scrappy first half as neither side controlled possession. A drew looked on the cards until Liverpool were awarded a free-kick just outside the Hull box on the stroke on half-time.

Xabi Alonso’s freekick cannoned off the wall, but the rebound bounced kindly for the midfielder who crashed an unstoppable shot past Myhill. 1-0 to the Reds at the break.

Fernando Torres almost doubled Liverpool’s lead ten minutes into the second-half. Hull City failed to deal with a bouncing ball on the edge of their area and Torres reacted the quickest lashing an effort just over the bar.

With just over half an hour remaining Hull were reduced to ten men. Caleb Folan was shown a straight red for a clumsy challenge on Martin Skrtel. There was worse though to come for the Tigers.

The Reds did not have to wait long to make the extra-man advantage count. An unmarked Kuyt flicked a goalbound effort from Skrtel past the Hull keeper.

The Tigers seemed to improve with one man less, and in the 72nd minute Hull were thrown a life-line when an unmarked Geovanni slotted home a Daniel Cousin cross.

Fernando Torres was inches away from getting on the scoresheet but his powerful header from six yards out crashed against the Hull crossbar. The striker had out-jumped two defenders and was unlucky to see his effort hit the woodwork.

Phil Brown’s side were pushing on in search of an equaliser but the relegation threatened outfit were caught out at the back as Kuyt grabbed his second and Liverpool’s third. The Hull keeper parried an Arbeloa drive into the path of the Dutchman who had the easy job of passing the ball into the back of the net.


- Match Stats: Hull City 1 - 3 Liverpool

Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Kilbane, Fagan (Mendy, 62), Boateng (Manucho, 79), Marney, Geovanni, Barmby (Cousin, 62), Folan

Booked: Marney, Barmby, Fagan

Goals: Geovanni 72

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt (Dossena, 90), Alonso, Mascherano (El Zhar, 84), Benayoun (Agger, 87), Lucas, Torres

Booked: Arbeloa

Goals: Alonos 45, Kuyt 62, 89