Photoby Martin Rickett – Pool/Getty Images
Some glamourous possession-based football was on display early,
but the end result is a stalemate.
MANCHESTER CITY 1 – 1 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool: Salah 11’ (pen)Manchester City: Jesus 30’
Pre-Match
Today’s away game at Manchester City feels momentous because
well, it’s Manchester City, and also ordinary, due to our recent
run of form despite all the setbacks. City is currently placed 12th
in the league, with a game in hand. Our lineup is a 4…2-2-2?? Super
newbie Diogo Jota features alongside the Salah-Mane-Firmino trio
(I guess Bobby Firmino hasn’t lost all ability to play football
after all). The backline is probably our best and senior-most
version of itself right now, with Joel Matip returning from injury
to pair with Joe Gomez. As always, we would like goals. And our
last Premier League clean sheet was in September, against Chelsea. So, one of those today would be nice.
Up the Reds!
First Half
The game kicks off with the best of both teams’ possession game
on display. City are known for their stylish football, but
Liverpool’s movements are slick as well, and the ball is regained
swiftly once lost. Salah and Firmino look dangerous, and overall
Liverpool has shown greater attacking intent in the first ten
minutes. 11’ and Kyle Walker nudges Mane in the box and concedes
a penalty, which is converted into a GOAL! by Salah.
A rare Gini Wijnaldum error around 25’ sees Sterling attempting
to capitalize on a pass from De Bruyne, but Alisson saves at close
range. At 30’ another Kevin De Bruyne pass is slipped past Matip
and Trent by Gabriel Jesus, and slotted into the net just out of
reach of Alisson’s fingers. GOAL! to City. There wasn’t much anyone
could’ve done to save that. City is warming up and taking control
of the game with 57% possession. Yet another De Bruyne pass into
the box hits Gomez’s left arm at 39’, conceding a penalty due to
handball – probably deserved that. De Bruyne rolls it wide however
and misses the penalty! He’s still their key playmaker, and is
receiving far too much space and seeing too much of the ball for my
liking.
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Two shots on target by each team, 6 attempts by Liverpool and 4
by City – a game of almost equals. Tactical, cool, entertaining
football. Don’t drop points here though, Liverpool.
Second Half
The second half starts off stretched with action in both boxes,
and both Ederson and Alisson being forced into making vital saves.
Both teams seem to be playing sans a dominant midfield for some
reason. At 58’ we see a surprising sub – Xherdan Shaqiri comes on for Bobby Firmino,
perhaps to inject a refreshed approach to breaking through City’s
ranks. Jota slots into Firmino’s position behind Salah. At around
61’, Trent deals with a calf issue and is replaced by James Milner.
The initial dynamism of the game has gone flat with Trent and
Firmino missing. Liverpool looks tired and their touches are
heavier. They’re sitting back and letting City dominate in
stretches, hoping to hit them on the counter, but are
unsuccessful.
Final Thoughts
A beautiful first half, followed by a listless and joyless
second. Liverpool’s early momentum deflated very quickly once a few
key parts of their machinery were replaced. Fingers remain crossed
that the injury to Trent is not serious – if our centre-half
backups are few, the options at right-back are even more sparse.
Hopefully the upcoming international break will offer a moment’s
breather to sort some of this out.