Hull City 3 Liverpool 0

Oh dear. We score 10 goals in 2 games but then get beat 3-0 at Hull. It was a funny game in many respects. Liverpool dominated possession but carried little goal threat – particularly in the first half – while Hull scored from two long-range efforts in the first half and then bundled in a third in the second half after poor Liverpool defending. We wore our horrible third strip and got the sort of result you would expect from a team in blue and white.

Positives could be found in some of the build-up play – especially after half-time – but generally it felt a bit flat and things aren’t quite clicking yet.

As for the previous games, we played different XIs in the first and second halves and, as before, I will choose my best XI...

Doni v Jones
Neither made a save of note. Doni was powerless to stop two long-range strikes in the first half. Jones would have done well to save Hull’s third. Purely on the basis that Doni was beaten twice and Jones just the once, I’ll give it to Jones.

Kelly v Flanagan
Kelly didn’t have the best of games but Flanagan offered no challenge here. Once again, Flanagan was rash in the challenge conceding a number of unnecessary free-kicks and could have been shown a straight red for a reckless lunge early in the second half. It’s looking increasingly baffling that Flanagan was able to do so well for the team in the back end of last season. I’m going for Kelly.

Carragher v Kyrgiakos
Neither excelled but neither were particularly bad. As one would expect, Kyrgiakos offered more in an attacking sense while Carra resorted to a few long punts up the pitch instead of attempting actual football. Kyrgiakos was my pick.

Ayala v Wilson
Ayala didn’t stand out. Wilson actually had a few decent moments. Wilson definitely looks a better prospect at centre-half than at full-back. I’m choosing Wilson.

Robinson v Insua
Robinson looked decent. He made a number of good tackles/blocks, got forward well and I really like the way he seems to glide around the pitch. Insua was at fault for the third goal playing the scorer onside. That aside, he acquitted himself well enough without being spectacular. Robinson was my pick.

Poulsen v Spearing
Poulsen was anonymous allowing Hull’s players time and space on the ball in the central areas. Spearing was his usual terrier-like self but in truth only had to turn up to be better than Poulsen. Spearing easily.

Aquilani v Henderson
This is a really tough one. I liked the look of Henderson. He was energetic and got around the pitch well plus he played a number of decent and intelligent passes. Aquilani looked calm and composed in possession, rarely wasting a pass and demonstrating that rare commodity of finding time and space in congested areas. Aquilani was let down by a lack of intelligent movement from his teammates whereas the second half team that Henderson played in was much better as a team. I’m going to go for Aquilani but that is no slight on Henderson.

Coady v Adam
Coady looked lost out there. He was at fault for Hull’s first goal and was never able to impose himself on the game. Adam looked decent. His passing is starting to match his vision and his set pieces were much more effective. Adam at a stroll.

Cole v Kuyt
Cole was back to his frustrating worst here. No end product; failure to make a positive impact; wayward passing; bad decision-making, and a comically bad finish after Gulacsi spilled Ngog’s shot into his path in front of goal. Kuyt was involved in some good team moves and generally offered more. Kuyt – no contest.

Maxi v Downing
Maxi buzzed about but I can’t remember too much of what he did. Downing was constantly involved; whipped in a number of crosses; had a well-struck shot saved, and worked well with his new teammates. Downing is my pick.

Ngog v Carroll
Ngog was chronically dire. His first touch repeatedly let him down and, other than a shot from the edge of the area after Aquilani had cleverly slipped him in, he offered no goal threat at all. Carroll was much more of a handful for Hull’s defenders to deal with. He linked well with Downing and won a series of knock-downs that needed teammates to better anticipate. Carroll is my pick.

So far we’ve seen 29 players in action and they have not included the likes of Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Johnson, Skrtel, Aurelio and Reina. At this point, I would like to see more time given to the players who are actually going to feature for us next season. I cannot believe they will include Cole, Poulsen, Coady, Flanagan or Jones. In Coady’s case, it is simply too soon and barring an unprecedented injury crisis, there are too many players with greater experience ahead of him in the pecking order.

Cole, Poulsen and Jones are surplus to requirements and will surely be sent packing if takers can be found. Flanagan is a player that I am beginning to harbour doubts over. As well as he did last season, you can see a clear gap in quality comparing him with Kelly and with Glen Johnson a cut above Kelly, Flanno’s prospects aren’t great.

As much as I think we need to sign a left-back, I have high hopes that Robinson is going to develop into an excellent player in the next few seasons and I’m wary of signing someone who will block the youngster’s path into the first team. Perhaps with Aurelio and Insua already at the club and Johnson capable of playing on the left also, it might be better to stick with what we have and ease Robinson in.

I also think we need another striker. I don’t see Ngog as being good enough to lead the line in the absence of Carroll or even to compete with Carroll for a first team place. We could always go another way with Kuyt replacing Carroll and take a more fluid approach to the game but I would prefer to tailor our tactics based on the opposition rather than our own personnel.

I am encouraged by the performances of Aquilani, Adam, Henderson and Downing. I would like to see more chances created for Carroll rather than balls he can only be expected to knock-down or flick on for others. Overall, I remain positive and look forward to the start of the season.