Hull 0-0 Liverpool

Hull and Liverpool closed out hugely disappointing campaigns with a forgettable draw at the KC Stadium.

Alberto Aquilani hit the bar from close range for the visitors in the first half, while Steven Gerrard slammed a shot against the upright late on.

The lively Mark Cullen wasted Hull's best chance with a header just wide.

The result means Liverpool finish in seventh, their worst season since 1999, while Hull end their two-year spell in the Premier League down in 19th place.

It was a miserable game but both sets of fans will be far more concerned with the immediate future of their respective managers - and key players - after such poor campaigns.

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has insisted neither Fernando Torres nor captain Steven Gerrard need to be sold to ease the club's mounting debts but question marks still firmly remain over the long-term future of Benitez, with Juventus persistently linked with his services.

The manager's expressions on the Hull touchline gave little away about his future but another desperate display is unlikely to increase his desire to stay on at Anfield.

No Champions League football next season may feel like the end of the world to Liverpool supporters but their opponents' situation should bring a touch of reality.

With debts of £35m and the threat of administration hanging over the club, Hull must now prepare for Championship football once again, with their two-year stay in the top flight ended in fittingly frustrating circumstances.

Whether or not Iain Dowie is still in charge of the team next season remains to be seen, but Hull can certainly take the positives out of a battling final-day display and particularly the performances of youngsters Tom Cairney, Mark Cullen and Will Atkinson.

The trio were more than a match for their more illustrious opponents throughout, leaving the Premier League with a reminder of their talents - despite Liverpool enjoying the most promising start.

Nabil El Zhar forced Matt Duke into a fine one-handed save on his first Reds start of the season before George Boateng headed a Dirk Kuyt shot off the line.

Aquilani placed a shot just wide after an overhead heave from Ryan Babel was only half-cleared but Hull did create a solitary chance when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink bulldozed over the Liverpool defence but headed straight at Pepe Reina.

Cullen, who scored his first Hull goal against Wigan on Monday, looked sharp again up front but wasted two golden opportunities to give his side the lead.

Firstly the youngster got the ball tangled up in his feet when through on goal then planted a header wide after a teasing cross from fellow starlet Atkinson.

A promising start from Liverpool had quickly faded and Benitez's glum mood was not helped on the stroke of half-time when Aquiliani hammered against the bar from close range and Daniel Agger sliced a miserable follow-up towards the corner flag.

City came equally close to going ahead moments after the break when a curling cross from Bernard Mendy only just eluded Vennegoor of Hesselink and an onrushing Cullen at the back post.

Cairney continued to work tirelessly in central midfield, often showing up Gerrard and Mascherano for effort and technique but Hull were unable to turn their industry into chances.

It was much the same for the Reds, although one bright sprak for the visitors arrived when youth team star Jack Robinson, aged just 16 and eight months, came on to become the club's youngster-ever player.

Not that it helped the Reds, with a powerful drive from Gerrard that cannoned against the post by far Liverpool's best chance in the second half.

Cullen fittingly had Hull's final effort, powering a shot just over Reina's bar.

Chairman Adam Pearson and owner Russell Bartlett will now sit down to decide manager Iain Dowie's fate while Benitez is also set for more talks with chairman Broughton in the coming days.

The season may now be over but the drama is likely to continue at both clubs over the summer.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.