A 2-0 victory ensured that, for the third visit in succession, Liverpool were led away from the KCOM Stadium with tails firmly between their legs by a Hull City on the up under Marco Silva.
Although Jurgen Klopp's side swamped their hosts in between the goals of Alfred N'Diaye and Oumar Niasse, the Tigers refused to buckle to keep their first clean sheet at home in this Premier League season.
A fifth victory of the season felt like the most significant yet for City. Back to within a point of the pack gathering above the relegation zone, the Tigers are suddenly brimming with belief that this season can end well.