Scorers: Fabinho, Salah, Mane – B.Silva
3 key points from the game:
- Ruthless counter inspires Liverpool
In the opening 10mins, Liverpool were under the cosh from City’s very high and aggressive pressing. They looked the more likely team to score as they kept Liverpool under some very serious pressure. A possible handball incident by Trent Alexander Arnorld (TAA) in Liverpool’s penalty box had City players asking for a penalty which the referee waved off and in that debate, Liverpool hit swiftly on the counter. Seemingly having held the first wave at a distance, Fabinho picked up the ball and blasted a rocket of a shot past a flailing Bravo from 25 yards out.
This was then followed up quickly by a quick transition from TAA to Robertson from one flank to the other and with a swing of his left boot, provided a pin point precision for Salah to guide a header from 8 yards past Bravo. Suddenly City looked shell shocked and unable to settle into their natural game. The game went into half time looking all in favour for Liverpool to seal the 3rd goal and settle the game.
The 2nd half started in similar fashion and within 5mins, Liverpool found their 3rd goal to effectively kill the game. A quick throw in close to the City goal and some hesitant defending from Angelino allowed Henderson to give a deep cross to the far post where Mane headed home. Against the pressing, Liverpool held firm and then hit on the break.
Liverpool defended in a very tight 4-4-1-1 low block allowing City’s wingers to push out wide before tempting them to take on their defenders in a 2v1 situation. This key tactic gave city spaces, but only where Liverpool wanted them to be at.
2. Man City’s vulnerability helped by injuries.
Laporte, Ederson and a lack of a partner in centre back showed the weaknesses of City. It’s not so much of City having a bad day in the office, just that they were caught out at key moments of the game and a ruthless Liverpool made them pay the price.
Aguero who spent the entire game probably burdened by the fact that he has not scored in 10 visit to Anfield seemed to be missing quality passes from DeBruyne by a toe poke. Had he been able to get to the balls just a fraction earlier, it would have been a more even game.
For all the wonderful balls that KDB put in and the serious threat that Raheem Sterling presented, Man city just couldn’t find key finishes to their final play. They didn’t give up and pressed on and was presented with an opportunity where a cross in from the left found Bernando Silva on the opposite end to sweep home a goal and give City a reason to push hard for the last 10 minutes.
Pep’s City does not seem as imperious as their last 2 seasons, but it’s down to injuries to personnel rather than a dwindling powers of Guardiola. Now they have to find a way to get back to the top 2 as they surprisingly sit behind dark horses of the season – Leicester and Chelsea – after 12 games.
3. Liverpool in the driving seat
This season there is a sense of belief amongst the fans as well as rivals that this is Liverpool’s title to lose. Just like last season, they head into the busy Christmas period with a huge gap over their rivals. 8 points from their closest challengers. They are in familiar territory as they were 10 points ahead of their rivals last season. But just like the season before – one would expect that Liverpool would have the experienced and learned from their mistake. Just like how they made up their lost to Real Madrid in the champions league finals by winning the next edition, this Liverpool should not surrender their lead as they did last season.
But just as man city showed, injuries to their key men – van Dijk, Firminho, Salah, Mane, Fabinho, TAA or Robertson – could derail their aspirations and as such ensuring back up arrives in January might allow Klopp to rotate his key men in the remainder of the season. This could be Liverpool’s best chance in 30 years to win the title and destiny as it had last year – is in their hands.
Written by: Bazli
