LIVERPOOL tried to put on a brave face after yet another home draw dented their title hopes, but Hull boss Phil Brown got straight to the point.

His adventurous, vibrant side had produced an outstanding display to lead by two goals before Steven Gerrard - again - rescued a nervy Liverpool, who claimed a 2-2 draw, the fourth time this season they have failed to beat lesser sides at home.

That is eight points dropped at home already, and although boss Rafael Benitez tried hard to sound calm, Liverpool are treading water desperately under the surface.

Brown, though, knows that Anfield is no longer the fortress it should be.

The Reds have now drawn three successive Premier League games to Hull, Fulham and West Ham, and were held by Stoke back in September.

Brown said: 'Man United have dropped points away, and that is their biggest downfall at the moment.

'Chelsea admitted they lost the title last season on their home form, drawing seven games, and that is 14 points lost.

'Liverpool will now be cautious about dropping any more points at home after this.

'Anfield should be a fortress, and has been over the years.

'You tend to win titles on your home form, so Liverpool will be maybe a little worried. And we are still waiting for Arsenal's rich vein of form, so the title race is wide open.'

Complain

Chelsea's seven home draws last season cost them dearly. They lost the title to Manchester United by just two points.

Former Liverpool man Nick Barmby added: 'We were respectful but not frightened of playing at Liverpool. We were not negative, in fact very positive.

'We just need to keep this sort of form going, we are not going to get carried away.'

Liverpool:

Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Dossena, Mascherano (Lucas Leiva, 87), Alonso, Benayoun (El Zhar 74), Gerrard, Riera (Babel 82), Kuyt.

Hull:

Myhill, McShane (Marney 27), Zayatte, Turner, Ricketts, Mendy, Ashbee, Boateng (Halmosi 66), Geovanni, Barmby (Windass 77), King.

PA Sport