Despite playing Liverpool at Anfield, Manchester City were firm favourites this evening to clinch a victory. Yet a result at Merseyside was not supposed to be a cakewalk. However, Alisson Becker in the Reds’ goal had some other ideas. His howlers one after another ruined the hosts’ fightback as they suffered a 4-1 hammering at home to add more misery to their ongoing shambles.
Below are the Manchester City players rated in their incredible 4-1 win against Liverpool.
Ederson: 7
Had a couple of routine saves and was comfortable while playing it out from the back unlike his fellow countryman at the other end of the pitch. Could have done little to stop Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick.
Joao Cancelo: 7.5
Another intelligent display from the Portuguese who purposefully concentrated more on defending deep rather making marauding runs from the right-hand flank. Kept things under control against Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson by stopping them from making cut insides and direct runs.
John Stones: 8
Was excellent once more, particularly on one occasion when he denied Curtis Jones from finding the net. Was confident on the ball, also made timely interceptions and blocks to frustrate the champions.
Ruben Dias: 6.5
Has been outrageous since completing his summer switch. But he made his first mistake in English football by bringing Salah down inside the box. It didn’t matter at all as the Alisson horror show began a few minutes later.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7.5
Did his job perfectly in terms of containing Salah by stopping him from dribbling past the defence and utilising the width of the pitch. Never let the Egyptian cause menace in the City backline.
Rodri: 6.5
Was not always comfortable with the ball on his feet. Tried to control the midfield game from a central role and the excellence of Gundogan helped him settle in as the game went on.
Ilkay Gundogan: 9
Enjoying the form of his life as he has stepped up even more in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence and delivered a majestic display against his former gaffer. Although he skied his spot-kick in the first half, the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker was spot on with his finishing to break the deadlock and then restoring the lead capitalising on Alisson’s error. Was everywhere on the pitch and the Merseysiders failed to stop him from orchestrating the whole show.
Bernardo Silva: 7.5
His work rate was impressive. Not creative on all occasions but was prompt to play his part in Sterling’s goal as soon as he picked up Alisson’s misplaced pass.
Phil Foden: 8
Had a frustrating first half when he was deployed as the ‘number 9’. But he was unstoppable after the break as he assisted Gundogan to make it 2-1, also fired in a stunner to seal the deal in the closing minutes of the match.
Riyad Mahrez: 6
Far from his best as the Algerian was largely ineffective and was taken off eventually to be replaced by Gabriel Jesus moments before the mistakes started happening at Merseyside.
Raheem Sterling: 8.5
Scored his first goal at Anfield against his former employers after years of attempts. He must thank Alisson for the same though. His tricky footwork was often causing problems in Liverpool defence as he not only won the first-half spot-kick but also contributed to Gundogan’s first of the evening.
Manchester City Substitutes vs Liverpool
Gabriel Jesus: 7
Was introduced for the final quarter of the match and recorded one assist to set up Foden’s thunderous strike.
