Afternoon all and a happy 2014. What better way to begin the year than with some Premier League action!? Here, we will be covering Liverpool's home clash with Hull City at Anfield.

Before we go any further, let's take a look at the team news, starting with the home side...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Cissokho; Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Aspas, Sterling; Suarez

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Rossiter, Kelly, Toure, Moses, Alberto, Gerrard

The big news for the home side comes in the form of the bench, where captain Steven Gerrard features following a recent stint on the sidelines with a hamstring complaint. One would assume that the plan is to give him 20-30 minutes towards the end of the game. Elsewhere, Iago Aspas will play in a wide role, while Daniel Agger has been moved into centre-back at the expense of Mamadou Sakho.

And now for the visitors...

HULL XI: McGregor; Figueroa, Bruce, Chester, Davies; Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Koren, Livermore; Sagbo

HULL SUBS: Harper, Rosenior, Graham, Fryatt, Boyd, Faye, Quinn

Steve Bruce has made two alterations to his side, which has seen his son Alex and David Meyler come into the team at the expense of Liam Rosenior and George Boyd. Looking at that lineup, it appears that Bruce has gone for a 4-5-1 formation, with Yannick Sagbo featuring as a lone frontman. Tom Huddlestone has also been included after ending his run of over two years without a goal against Fulham.

Let's talk Luis Suarez, shall we?! The Uruguayan has not scored in his last two matches - that's shocking form! In all seriousness, he has been outstanding since his return from suspension in September. He's got 19 goals already, 13 of which have come during his last five outings at Anfield. It's a statistic that is bound to worry those Hull fans that have made the trip.

Having said that, the Hull rearguard did manage to shackle Suarez when the two teams met at the KC Stadium a month ago. They've been very strong defensively at the back at home, shipping just six goals. However, on the road the Tigers have been a bit leakier, having let in 17 in nine outings.

Talking of defenders, Agger is back in favour with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers at the moment. He started at left-back against Chelsea on Sunday, but has returned to the more familiar role of centre-back today. Here is what he told the Liverpool Echo about this contest:

"We have the Hull game to focus on and we definitely have to get the three points. The home form has been very good this season and that is something we have to carry on. It is so important to what we want to achieve this season that we have a good record at home. Hull are a great team. We lost there not so long ago so we know they are a dangerous team."

Someone that won't get a positive reception from the home faithful today is Hull boss Bruce, largely due to his Manchester United connections. Even the most ardent of Liverpool fans would have to admit that he has done a fantastic job at Hull, though. Having got them promoted in May, they go into this clash 10th in the table. Speaking recently, he was clear as to what his targets are for the remainder of the campaign.

"It’s been a great 2013 for us all. We had a difficult run to promotion but we got there and now we’ve bounced into the Premier League with 23 points from 19 games. Can we go and repeat that now and make sure we’re here for another year? I’ll not be a happy man until we’ve managed that."

As well as each other, both teams will have to compete against the elements today. Games are being called off left, right and centre at the moment, but this one is going ahead. Having said that, it's not great weather on Merseyside. There's a bit of rain and wind around, which could make it difficult for the players.

This will be of more importance to Liverpool, but the final whistle has just gone at the Liberty Stadium, with Manchester City winning 3-2. It means that the Citizens have gone to the top of the table, eight points ahead of Liverpool. The Reds do have a game in hand, though, so can close that gap to five points. As for Hull, they can put five points between themselves and Swansea in 11th if they were to collect a win here.

Back to the conditions quickly and here's an example of what the players will face via Liverpool's Twitter page.

Photo: Fans make their way to Anfield for the first time in 2014... pic.twitter.com/pF9WmrWBHn — Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2014

Let's now get a little bit more from Bruce, who has just been talking to Sky Sports News. His Hull side often play a 3-5-2 formation, but today he's reverted to more of a 4-5-1 setup. Here he explains why: "We're reverting back to the shape we used against them last month. Let's hope we can get the same result."

PREDICTION: Right, with not long left until we get underway at Anfield, let's have a go at predicting the outcome of this one. It's hard to believe that Suarez is going to go three games without scoring a goal, particularly against a defence that has let in 17 away from home this season. That shouldn't be taken as an underestimation of Hull, because they could make life difficult for Liverpool today. Let's say 2-0 to the hosts, with Suarez getting both.

So, the players are just starting to filter on to the pitch and the handshakes are underway. There's a decent atmosphere inside Anfield. There are only a couple of minutes until proceedings get started.

GAME ON! Liverpool, kicking from right to left, get this encounter off and running.

Bright start from Liverpool as Suarez plays in Aspas down the right flank. It seems that Spaniard is too strong for Hull defender Figueroa, who hits the floor. Aspas is through on goal as a result, but the referee blows up for a foul. That looked extremely harsh it must be said.

More lively play from Liverpool down the right and this time it's Glen Johnson, who cuts inside to open up the shooting opportunity. His effort is powerful enough, but it's blocked and the danger is cleared. We are yet to see anything from the visitors in an attacking sense.

To be fair to Hull, they've actually calmed down proceedings with a spell in possession. Liverpool are still the side that are in control, but they've been rather wasteful inside the opposition's half. It's fair to say that this match is yet to get going.

CHANCE! The first sight of goal is carved out by Hull as Robert Koren bursts towards the edge of the area. The ball then drops to Sagbo, who goes for a half-volley. The effort is well struck, but it flies a yard or two over Simon Mignolet's crossbar. It's a warning for Liverpool, though, that they can't afford to coast their way through this game.

SAVE! It's Hull again that cause problems and the home faithful are not too happy right now. Jake Livermore picks out Koren inside the area, but the midfielder delays his shot and when he does finally pull the trigger, Agger gets a block in and the ball trickles into Mignolet's hands. Had he taken aim a little earlier, he could well have broken the deadlock.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Suarez wheels a way in celebration, believing that he has scored his 20th goal of the season, but the linesman's flag cuts short the jubilation. Replays show that it was the correct decision as well because when the Liverpool striker met Philippe Coutinho's cross with his head, he had just strayed beyond the Hull rearguard.

BOOKING! It's a silly caution for Bruce junior to receive. Huddlestone was adjudged to have fouled Suarez inside the Hull half, but Bruce disagreed. His protests have landed him a booking and now he has to be careful for the remainder of the match.

CHANCE! Suarez is not happy as Bruce flies into a challenge with him, but to the Hull defender's credit, he did take the ball. It dropped to Coutinho, who having weighed up his options, went for goal on the edge of the area. It's always rising, though, and doesn't trouble Allan McGregor in the Hull net. Moments later, the Hull stopper denies Raheem Sterling from close range.

Another decent opening for Liverpool as Johnson raids down the right flank. He sends over a cross into the area, which is met by Sterling. It's at an awkward height for the Liverpool winger, who heads forwards, but even he is not quick enough to get to the ball ahead of McGregor.

More wayward passing, this time from Agger and Suarez is not a happy bunny right now. You can see why, because the service to him so far has been poor. If that continues, it probably won't be long until Gerrard is introduced into the action.

They perhaps don't deserve it, but Liverpool lead through an unlikely source. Coutinho sends over a corner from the right, which Agger rises highest to meet. His header his towards Figueroa on the post, but between him and McGregor, neither can make a clearance and the ball bounces into the net. That's a disappointing goal from a Hull point of view.

BOOKING! Suarez is cutting an angry figure today. He's frustrated with his teammates, but now also some of the Hull players, who believes are going in too strong on him. He responds by going in late on Curtis Davies and Huddlestone in quick succession. The outcome? A yellow card for Liverpool's leading scorer, which does little to brighten his mood.

CHANCE! Liverpool should be 2-0 up, no doubt about that. Coutinho and Aspas link neatly to free up Jordan Henderson, who has the goal at his mercy from 12 yards out. The midfielder sends McGregor the wrong way, but he also fails to keep the ball inside the post and it drifts wide. It looked easier to score in all honesty.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

CHANCE! Another guilt-edged chance for the home side goes begging. Coutinho does everything right initially to create the chance for himself, but from 10 yards out, the Brazilian's low effort skids just wide of the post. It was not too dissimilar to the opportunity that Henderson spurned a few moments ago.

Liverpool have certainly produced better performances this season, but the result is what matters and going into the break, it's in their favour. They lead thanks to a header from centre-back Agger.

As mentioned, the hosts have been well below-par so far. Their passing in particular has let them down on occasions, which has angered Suarez. Having said that, if Henderson and Coutinho convert their chances towards the of the half, they would be 3-0 up now and everyone would be saying how impressive they had been.

Hull, meanwhile, haven't really done anything. They had a couple of early chances through Sagbo and Koren, but apart from that, they've concentrated more on being solid than expansive, which is understandable. However, they are going to have to commit more players forward as the match goes on if they are to return to Humberside with at least a share of the spoils.

Someone that needs to be careful during the second half is Hull centre-back Bruce. He's been booked and since then has put in a couple of late challenges on Suarez. Both were seen by the referee so you would imagine that he is on a final warning. Hull really cannot afford to go down to 10 men here.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Here we go then - Hull, playing in their changed all-blue strip, get the second half started.

Quick counter-attack from Liverpool involving Suarez, who plays in Sterling. He has Aspas all alone inside the area to pick out, but instead he attempts to take on James Chester and ends up losing possession. That was a really good opportunity wasted by the youngster.

You just can't keep Suarez quiet for long, can you?! He wins a free kick 25 yards from goal and immediately places the ball down. There is a four-man wall attempting to block his effort's path to the target, but the Uruguayan curls it over their heads and into the top corner of the net, giving McGregor no chance. That is some hit and although there is still plenty of time left, it has probably put the match out of Hull's reach.

SUBSTITUTION: A change for Liverpool and it's a defensive one in the form of Kolo Toure, who replaces Johnson. There is no indication that the full-back has picked up an injury.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Drastic stuff from Bruce, who has used all three of substitutes in one go. Credit to him because it's a brave thing to do, with Danny Graham, Matty Fryatt and George Boyd all coming on in place of Koren, Sagbo and Meyler. At least Hull are looking to get back into this game, rather than going for damage limitation.

SUBSTITUTION: It's the moment that most Liverpool fans have been waiting for as Gerrard enters the action ahead of schedule. The skipper has replaced Aspas, much to the delight of the home supporters.

We've seen very little from the trio that Hull recently introduced into proceedings. At the moment, Liverpool are in cruise control, although Rodgers is bound to be demanding a third goal to 100% ensure all three points. After all, one goal for Hull changes the whole complexion of this clash.

This match has a real training ground feel about right now, as Liverpool attempt to keep hold of possession for as long as possible. Moments ago a neat move found its way to Coutinho, who once again tried his luck from distance. It's the same outcome as his previous chances, with the ball missing the target by some distance.

SAVE! Much better accuracy from Coutinho, who may at last have found his range after a number of attempts. This time he drives at the Hull defence, who back off him. From there, he drills a shot towards goal, but McGregor is alert enough to turn the ball away from danger with a two-handed punch.

Or perhaps not. Coutinho went close moments ago, but his latest effort (no exaggeration) almost hits the corner flag. I suppose you've got to admire his confidence and persistence, but the attacker's shooting today has been woeful.

SUBSTITUTION: It's been a quiet afternoon for Sterling and it has now been brought to an early conclusion, with Chelsea loanee Victor Moses taking his place on the wing.

It seems that the Coutinho bug is catching, even by someone of Suarez's ability. The striker has just attempted to score from 20 yards out, but instead he sent his effort out for a Hull throw!

What is going on at Anfield?! Shooting practice will be in order during the next training sessions for both clubs! Moments ago Suarez fired an effort out for a throw and Hull defender Figueroa has just done the same thing up the other end!

BOOKING! It's a deserved caution for Davies, despite Suarez's theatrics. The Liverpool striker had gone by the Hull defender, but his route was blocked by a clip of the heals.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match.

And there goes the final whistle. It was by no means pretty, but Liverpool have recorded a seventh consecutive victory at Anfield to keep in touch with the teams at the top of the table.

That is all we have time for from Anfield. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.