Liverpool v Manchester City A Liverpool Perspective
This could so easily have been a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’, facing Manchester City straight after demolishing Real Madrid in midweek. Instead, well it was like the show was stepped up a level. This was an even more dominant performance over City. Going into the week, facing both the European champions and the English champions, this could have been the time when the season got derailed. But Slot has the team running with all the efficiency of the Japanese rail service and it became the week that trophies became a very real possibility. If anything, this week saw Liverpool’s performance finally reach the heights to match their position in both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
A dominant first half, with Liverpool utilising the high press from the outset to get at a City side that are low on confidence. That was followed up by a second half of sitting back and picking them off on the counter. It worked so well that City failed to create a meaningful chance for themselves in the entire 90 minutes. While they are low on confidence, it should be remembered that City went into the weekend in second place, so they are still a strong side.
When you remember this is the reigning champions, who had been in second place, it makes this result and the performance, even more astonishing. Liverpool bullied Citeh in every department of the pitch. The City defence were completely outmatched by Liverpool’s attack, the midfield battle was utterly one-sided and City’s attack spent the match struggling to create anything of any note. It was so easy, I fear that Liverpool might fall victim to complacency, if they are not careful.
Manchester City
It has to be said, Citeh have been a major disappointment the last few games. Not so much the way they are playing, more their attitude about it. It is very enjoyable to see them taken down a peg or two and how they have responded with childish petulance, rather than holding their hands up to being bettered. The collapse is unprecedented, but now I can understand it. City have assembled a bunch of players that have an awful attitude, too busy telling others to stay humble while being incredibly over-arrogant themselves. They have lost sight of reality and think they are too good to be where they are.
This is all down to poor recruitment – Pep’s Achilles’ heel. They have gone backwards gradually, despite buying so many players for so much money, as they have been unable to sign players of a similar quality to those that have left. Worse, they have signed players who are far more interested in partying than being professional, and that seems to have infected the whole squad with a more casual attitude.
It is bizarre how Guardiola has changed from the man who flogged off a peak-Ronaldinho (and Deco and a few others too) due to their party lifestyle and not wanting it to affect other players in the squad. In the case of Ronaldinho and Deco, it was to get them away from a young Lionel Messi so that they would not influence him. At City, most of the players he has signed have the wrong kind of attitude for a professional athlete. You would only need to look at the guest list of Benjamin Mendy’s parties to see that. In my opinion, that is where Pep needs to start if he wants to sort out the issues in the long term. Get rid of the likes of Grealish and Walker and bring in pros.
Liverpool
Kelleher – I was literally just thinking to myself that he has not had a chance to redeem himself for his couple of misplaced passes, when van Dijk made an error to give him something to do! If that had not have happened, despite having almost nothing to do, I would have had to criticise Kelleher’s performance because of those terrible attempts at longer passes. It was not a night to be a goalkeeper in the Liverpool goal, unless he had a book he needed to finish off….
Alexander-Arnold – other than a couple of sloppy passes, he was excellent. His vision, and ability to execute the pass to match it, are on a whole other level to just about anybody else playing the game right now. Added to his improvement as a defender, there are few players who come close to his level. It was not until Doku came on that he would even have felt like he was in a real game, rather than a training match.
Gomez – you would not have known he had barely played this season from his performance. He was very good and looked comfortable throughout.
van Dijk – apart from that one error, van Dijk was once again exceptional. He spent 90 minutes bullying Haaland, making him look like a young child trying to get the ball off its dad at times.
Robertson – looked more like the Robertson of old. Finally a good game this season from the Scotland captain, and signs that maybe it was just the style of play that was not suited to him. This faster, more aggressive game that was played is what he needs to perform at his best.
Gravenberch – Guardiola admitted he picked his midfield specifically to try and nullify Gravenberch, but it never worked at all. Once again, he was excellent at both ends of the pitch.
Mac Allister – an excellent game from Mac Allister. He was a key part of the build up and helped to ensure Liverpool’s total dominance of the game.
Szoboszlai – arguably the best player on the pitch. His workrate has been excellent all season, but his passing was a little loose. Now he has improved that aspect, while getting even better at the defensive work he was doing well at anyway. If he can get his shooting boots back as well, he would be the complete midfielder.
Gakpo – scored a good goal and was a constant threat. Another who had a very good game.
Salah – just give him a contract please! He is turning in Ballon d’Or worthy performances right now, well they would be if the award was actually given to players for playing well that season. Another excellent performance and his goal contribution stats are incredible this season.
Diaz – another who played really well, working hard and causing problems for City all game. He was not able to repeat his Leverkusen heroics in the middle, but their defence was unable to handle his movement at all.
Nunez – replaced Gakpo in the 72nd minute. As always, he gives everything for the team, which is why he is so beloved of the Kop. Yes, he does need to score more goals, but his efforts are worth so much to the team as a whole that it does make up for him not scoring enough to a very large degree.
Quansah – came on for Alexander-Arnold in 72nd minute. It was a surprise to see him play at right-back, but he took to it well. It is probably what he needs to do more of, to get him out of his comfort zone. His problem up until now has been that he takes it far too easy, this could help him as it requires more mental effort to play a position you are less comfortable in.
Jones – took Salah’s place in the 84th minute. Never really had time to really impress against a well-beaten City side.
Elliott – made his return in the 90th+1 minute in place of Diaz. Looked well off the pace in the few minutes he was on. He is going to need time to get back to his best.
Written by Tris Burke December 03 2024 23:31:57
