Hull ended Liverpool's Champions league hope after a 1-0 win

Michael Dawson's first-half header was enough to down a lacklustre Reds, with Mario Balotelli and Raheem Sterling struggling to make an impact in attack


Hull City all but ended Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a vital win to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

With Mario Balotelli and Raheem Sterling failing to give the Reds a spark in attack, Michael Dawson gave the hosts the lead in the first half by heading in Ahmed Elmohamady's cross for his first Tigers goal.

Brendan Rodgers's side did not improve after the break, with Rickie Lambert replacing the disappointing Balotelli for the final 25 minutes, and Hull hung on for a vital three points in their bid to avoid relegation.

Liverpool now lie seven points off fourth-placed Manchester United, while Hull have moved four points away from the relegation zone but 17th-placed Leicester City and 18th-placed Sunderland have a game in hand.