Liverpool 5 Hull 1: Reds blow away ten-man Tigers to keep pace with the leaders

LIVERPOOL blew away ten-man Hull with goals from Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and a penalty brace from James Milner.

Lallana opened the scoring with his third goal in three games for club and country after good work from Coutinho.

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Hull were then reduced to ten men when Ahmed Elmohamady was sent off for handling Coutinho's effort on the line.

James Milner doubled Liverpool's lead from the spot to end the game as a spectacle.

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On the spot. James Milner scores Liverpool's second against ten-man Hull

Hull couldn't cope with Liverpool's pace and movement and it was an unmarked Mane who stretched the Kop lead when he drilled home his third league goal since moving from Southampton this summer.

David Myler pulled one back for the visitors as Liverpool failed to clear a corner, before Coutinho fired back immediately with a wonder strike in front of the Kop.

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Milner scored from the spot again when ref Marriner penalised Hull defender Andrew Robertson for tripping sub Daniel Sturridge in the box.

FACTS, STATS AND LOLS

• All the pre-match talk was of Loris Karius replacing Simon Mignolet. Yet the German might has well have bought a ticket for the game - he was a virtual spectator in the first half.
• It was a different story for his overworked opposite number David Marshall who certainly earned his money.Hull have reverted to type after their brilliant start to the season. The Tigers are now performing much more like they were expected to.

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• Mike Phelan has still not committed himself to taking the job at the KCom Stadium full-time and any more days like this and he might think better of it.
• Eyebrows were raised at the £31 million Liverpool paid for Sadio Mane in the summer - but not any more. He has given the Reds another dimension.

  

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• Ahmed Elmohamady can have no complaints about his red card. The rules may have changed regarding sending offs and penalties - but not for deliberate handball on the line.
• Sam Allardyce might try to talk James Milner out of international retirement at this rate. The ex England man was a real threat down the left.
• What a season Phil Coutinho is having. He was involved in most of his team's best moments and scored a beauty for the home side's fourth.

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• Daniel Sturridge knew he had to make an impression after being benched for the first hour - and he did, winning a pen within minutes of coming on.
• Liverpool fans are certainly going to be entertained this season - this was the fourth time in eight games their team have scored four or more.

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SOCIAL SAYS

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

LIVERPOOL: Karius 6, Clyne 7, Matip 6, Klavan 7, Milner 8, Lallana 8 (Sturridge 69, 6) Henderson 8 (Can 74,6) Wijnaldum 7, Mane 8, Firmino 8, Coutinho 9 (Grujic 74, 6).

Subs not used: Moreno, Lucas, Origi

Booked: Milner

Goals: Lallana (17) Milner (Pen 30, Pen 71) Mane (36) Coutinho (52)

HULL: Marshall 6, Elmohamady 5, Livermore 7, Davies 5, Robertson 5, Snodgrass 5, Huddlestone 5 (Maguire 45, 7) Clucas 6, Mason 5 (Henriksen 73, 6) Diomande 6 (Meyler 33, 7) Hernandez 5

Subs not used: Maloney, Mbokani Bezua, Keane

Goals: Meyler (50)

Booked: Huddlestone, Mason

Sent off: Elmohamady

STAR MAN: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

WHAT THEY SAID

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp:"I think we should not worry about whether we should have scored more. It was a brilliant amazing first half in all aspects. It was a world-class performance in counter pressing. We didn't give Hull the opportunity to create confidence. It was wonderful to watch. All in all, really good.

Liverpool skipper James Milner :"I thought it was a good display from start to finish. Even with a lead we kept pushing on. We were good without the ball, chasing and winning it back. Lucky enough both my penalties went in."

Hull temporary boss Mike Phelan: "Everything is open to debate. I am doing my job like I've always done.

"The offer has been there but it hasn't been signed sealed and delivered yet. We had a terrific chat and I'm waiting for that now. I would want it to be sorted out. it'll be done when it's done."