Liverpool's hopes of Champions League football were all but killed off by Michael Dawson's first goal for Hull City in a 1-0 defeat at the KC Stadium.

Former Spurs defender Dawson scored a header on 37 minutes from Ahmed Elmohamady's cross as Hull boosted their survival prospects with a precious win that lifted them clear of the bottom five with only their fifth home success of the season.

But Liverpool's prospects of finishing in the top four and bringing Champions League nights back to Anfield are surely over for the season.

This grim defeat leaves Brendan Rodgers' side seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with four league games remaining.

As a reward for a dour and dogged effort in recording back-to-back home league wins over Liverpool, Hull are four points ahead of third-bottom Sunderland, who have a game in hand on Steve Bruce's side.

One more win might well ensure Hull avoid being sucked into the relegation zone. It may even be the case that this was the evening that kept them up as they move onto 34 points from 34 games.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Tom Huddlestone - Dominant performance in the centre of the park for Steve Bruce's side ensured Liverpool were subjected to a slow death. The harder they tried, the worse it seemed to get with Hull simply shutting up shop in a manner that belied their lowly league position.

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