Manchester City’s invincible status was at stake this evening when they visited Anfield to contest Liverpool in a relatively tough fixture. City have failed to beat the Reds in their own backyard since 2003 and a first leg 5-0 defeat made the Merseysiders more determined to match the Citizens’ standard. Philippe Coutinho’s departure, Virgil Van Dijk’s injury and Spurs’ 4-0 win over Everton put the Reds under immense pressure in a ‘top four’ fight and they needed to secure at least one point to maintain that for the time being. City, meanwhile, were still favourites to continue their unbeaten status in domestic competitions but were expecting an end-to-end contest from the hosts.
The game, as promised, turned out to be another epic encounter and it was Liverpool who came out victorious by a 4-3 margin to end Manchester City’s unbeaten title dream.
Manchester City Players Rated And Slated
Ederson: 4
The Brazilian was slightly out of position while conceding early in the game from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stunning strike, but could have done little on the next two occasions. However, his clearance was erroneous and despite denying Mohamed Salah spectacularly earlier, Ederson was punished for his mistake as the Egyptian took advantage of him being out of position and put it into the empty net from distance.
Kyle Walker: 5
Was bullied by Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson throughout down the right-wing. Despite assisting Leroy Sane to equalize banking on his stunning cross-field delivery, Walker had a tough afternoon and the ‘gegenpress’ forced him to make mistakes while passing the ball. Suffered his first Manchester City defeat since joining them back in summer.
John Stones: 5
Made some crucial blocks to avoid further humiliation, but the Englishman was outmuscled completely by Roberto Firmino who put the Reds ahead in the second half.
Nicolas Otamendi: 5.5
His misplaced pass allowed Mohamed Salah to construct a move and set the ball up for Sadio Mane who scored from a stunning strike. Was kept on his toes by Salah on a number of occasions but was unlucky as well when his header hit the woodwork in the second half.
Fabian Delph: 5.5
The stand-in left-back had a tough task to contain Mohamed Salah down the left and mostly concentrated on his defending due to Liverpool’s high press up above the pitch. Suffered an injury midway in the first-half and was forced to leave the pitch to be replaced by Danilo.
Fernandinho: 6
His mistake almost cost his side severely when Sadio Mane hit the woodwork seconds before finding the back of the net. Tried to control the game in the middle of the park, screened his defence but didn’t offer much up front due to Liverpool’s pressing high up the pitch.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7
Made some decent movements in midfield, played smart one-twos and was getting in dangerous positions inside the box which helped him to score City’s third in closing minutes to get them back in the game.
Kevin De Bruyne: 7.5
Worked tirelessly, kept on creating chances from various places of the pitch, but failed to cause enough harm, unlike their previous meeting.
Raheem Sterling: 6
The former Liverpool winger was jeered by the fans all evening and failed to beat past Andrew Robertson on almost every occasion. Lost his temperament in the second half and was replaced by Bernardo Silva.
Leroy Sane: 8
The youngster from Germany was unimpressive until he scored with a thunderous strike to equalize in the first half. The goal though was the outcome of a costly error by the Reds custodian Loris Karius who was beaten at his first post.
Sergio Aguero: 6.5
Didn’t cause enough menace inside the box except providing an assist to Ilkay Gundogan in the closing minutes of the game.
Substitutes
Danilo: 6
Could not make overlap runs and he was mostly concentrating on his defensive duty of containing Mo Salah. He was not impressive too as the Brazilian looked clueless at times against a lethal Liverpool attack.
Bernardo Silva: 7
Came in place of Sterling and scored one late in the game when the ball fell favourably in his path and the Portuguese attacker made no mistake to put it into the back of the net to make the scoreline 4-2.
