Venue: Anfield Date: Saturday, 13 December Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; Score updates on BBC Sport website & highlights on Match of the Day
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Benitezwill now concentrate on domestic success
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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants his side to build a lead at the Premier League summit before their Champions League campaign resumes in February.
They lead Chelsea by a point at the top of the table and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Benitez said: "We can now concentrate on domestic considerations. We do not want to give up top spot.
"If we are still there when we start up again in Europe, the chances of a really good season will be obvious."
Benitez added ahead of Saturday's Anfield clash with Hull: "We now have almost three months to concentrate on the Premier League, and the FA Cup.
"We would want to go back into Europe next year still top of the table."
Benitez also praised the performance of Brazilian youngster Lucas Leiva, who was outstanding in the Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven in midweek after recently suffering criticism from his own supporters.
He said: "Myself and the staff, as well as his team-mates, know that Lucas is a very good player. He showed that he has character and quality.
"Maybe Lucas has been spurred on by some of the criticism. But this week he has shown he is a good professional.
"His response to questions about his form - and the reaction to him from some fans recently - has been very good."
Liverpool defend the longest current unbeaten home record in the top-flight against sixth placed surprise package Hull, knowing that victory for the Premier League pacesetters will open up a four point lead over Chelsea.
The Tigers have avoided defeat in 75% of their Premier League games under Phil Brown (12 of 16), and are hoping to gain their second away win over a 'Big Four' club, having already beaten Arsenal 1-2 at the Emirates on 27 September.
The Merseysiders, Champions League Group D winners midweek, have already dropped home points to a promoted club, being held to a goalless draw by Stoke on 20 September.
Both clubs have scored 24 goals in their 16 Premier League outings to date, and both have recouped an unsurpassed 12 Premier League points from losing positions; Liverpool have won four games in which they were trailing, while Hull have won three and drawn three.
Hull have never beaten Liverpool in a competitive match.
Distance between the clubs: 124 miles (199 kilometres)
LIVERPOOL
1st 37 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 1st
1. Unbeaten in five Premier League matches; won three and drawn two since losing to Tottenham.
2. The 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane on 1 November is their only reverse in this top-flight campaign, and in 23 Premier League outings.
3. Kept clean sheets in six of the last eight league games, and conceded one goal in five; that being to Blackburn in the 1-3 victory at Ewood Park last Saturday.
4. Gained three more points than ever before from the first 16 matches of a Premier League campaign.
5. On the longest current run of 18 top-flight matches without a score draw; the 2-2 stalemate, away to Birmingham on 26 April, being the most recent.
6. Not lost in 19 home Premier League matches, since Manchester United defeated them 0-1 on 16 December 2007.
7. The only club to have avoided defeat in all home top-flight matches in 2008; won 13 and drawn five of 18, scoring 34 goals and conceding 11.
8. Need a score twice to total 600 home goals all-time in the Premier League.
9. The last two home league games have been goalless draws (v Fulham and West Ham); not conceded in four home games or 405 minutes (six hours 45 minutes) of Premier League football at Anfield since Amr ZAKI scored Wigan's second in the Latics' 3-2 defeat on 18 October.
10. The next fixture after this is away to Arsenal.
HULL CITY
6th 26 points
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 6th
1. Unbeaten in four Premier League matches; drawn three and won one since suffering three successive defeats.
2. Completed 44 Championship and Premier League games without a goalless draw; the home clash with Bristol City on 27 December 2007 being the most recent.
3. In danger of tumbling to a third successive defeat to a 'Big Four' club, having lost 0-3, home to Chelsea on 29 October, and 4-3, away to Manchester United on 1 November.
4. Scored 15 away goals in the Premier League; only Chelsea can beat that with 21.
5. Netted in every one of their away games at this level; only Chelsea equal that this season.
LIVERPOOL
Jamie CARRAGHER is the only remaining outfield player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.
Goalkeeper Jose REINA, also an ever-present, leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove having kept 10 clean sheets.
If selected:-
Daniel AGGER will be playing the day after turning 24.
If on the field from the outset:-
Alvaro ARBELOA will be making his 50th Premier League start - all in Liverpool colours.
HULL CITY
Boaz MYHILL and Michael TURNER are the only remaining players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Hull's Premier League matches this season.
Nick BARMBY needs a hat-trick to reach 100 club career goals.
Dean WINDASS is a hat-trick shy of 200 goals in English and Scottish league football.
If selected:-
Wayne BROWN will be making his 50th appearance in Hull colours.
BARMBY will be facing a former club. The 34 year old England international made 58 appearances (32 in the league) and scored eight goals (two league) for Liverpool between July 2000 and August 2002.
It's nine years since Hull and Liverpool last faced each other. The Merseysiders won a Worthington League Cup second round tie 9-3 on aggregate; Danny Murphy scored three goals for the Reds over the two legs.
The Merseysiders have won their last four cup ties against the Tigers.
Liverpool won the most recent league clash on home soil against Hull; prevailing 5-3 in the old Second Division on 29 August 1959.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Liverpool 5 wins, Hull 0, Draws 1
Prem: Liverpool 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0
at Liverpool only
League (inc PL): Liverpool 3 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0
Prem: Liverpool 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0
Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
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