Jurgen Klopp is sure to go home the happier manager tonight on the back of a masterful display against Manchester City by his Liverpool team. The Reds were comfortable 3-1 winners on the night, and despite all the efforts from Pep Guardiola’s side in the second half, they were unable to produce a comeback. Although they looked a different team in the second period, they didn’t seem to be playing with their usual conviction. Even after Bernardo Silva got the lifeline goal, Van Dijk and co. were able to see the situation out with ease.
Here are the Manchester City Player ratings from their loss against Liverpool.
Claudio Bravo – 5
Couldn’t have done too much about the first two goals and he did well to keep the scoreline at just 3-1. He distributed the ball decently and might just have been one of City’s better player on the night.
However, he could have done a bit more to keep out the Mane goal from crossing the line.
Kyle Walker – 4
The English full-back had a challenging game at right-back as he was often caught in two minds between defence and attack. Should’ve dealt with the ball before Mane’s header.
John Stones – 4.5
The Englishman seemed to be shell-shocked by the Liverpool performance as he went to sleep in the second half. Made some extremely questionable passes out from the back as well.
Fernandinho – 6.5
In the absence of some top defenders, Pep trust in Brazilian star Fernandinho has undoubtedly paid off. Despite not winning, Fernandinho’s performance was one of the positives for Pep.
Angeliño – 7
Unquestionably Manchester City’s best player on the pitch, the left-back has announced himself in exemplary fashion and was their most potent threat going forward as well.
Rodri – 5.5
The Spaniard was trying really hard to influence the tie but to no significant effect. The Liverpool midfield completely neutralised his usually combative approach to the game.
Ilkay Gundogan – 4.5
Possibly one of his worst performances ever in a City shirt, the German seemed to be utterly clueless about the sport for a period in the game – misplacing passes that academy players would’ve made.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
Manchester City’s determination and fire to try and get something from the game was personified by De Bruyne. He toiled tirelessly but wasn’t helped out enough by the people around him.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Another player who just seems to be the epitome of consistency, the Portuguese star got City’s consolation goal, without which, the scoreline would’ve looked a lot worse for Guardiola’s men.
Sergio Aguero – 5
One of the striker’s most ineffective displays in a Manchester City shirt, he had multiple chances to open the scoring for City but failed to take any of them. On another night, it might’ve been a different story.
Raheem Sterling – 6
He was responsible for triggering a possible comeback from the Citizens, but all his hard work ended up being for nothing. He huffed and puffed his way through the ninety minutes.
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus – 5
The Brazilian wasn’t an improvement on Aguero on the night, and City’s drab forward play went on even after his introduction.
