Football News

Liverpool hosted Manchester City on Sunday in what has been billed by many as an early indicator as to the destination of the Premier League title.

After a break-neck opening five minutes, in which the Reds hounded City at every opportunity, the game settled into something of a mundane rhythm and the two sides played out a goalless first-half which didn’t feature a single shot on target – the most noteworthy incident being a penalty claim when Dejan Lovren clumsily brought down Sergio Aguero in the Liverpool penalty area.

The second half turned into a game of cat and mouse, with City dominating the ball and constantly probing the Liverpool defence, while the Reds always held a threat on the break.

And when Manchester City won a penalty on 85 minutes, it looked like Guardiola’s side had finally earned the chance that their play had deserved. However, Riyad Mahrez, who had missed three out of his last five penalties prior to today, blazed the ball over the bar after pushing Gabriel Jesus away from the spot-kick.

Here is how every player rated in today’s 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool 

Alisson – 7 – Virtually nothing to do in the first half but pulled off a few smart saves in the second half as City’s threat increased. Will be pleased to have seen Riyad Mahrez’ penalty fly over the bar to maintain his clean sheet.

Joe Gomez – 8 – Got up and down the right side like a real work-horse for Liverpool after shifting to full-back to allow for the inclusion of Dejan Lovren. Gomez’ delivery was fantastic and he coped very well with containing City’s wingers.

Dejan Lovren – 6 – A less than convincing first half was saved by a much stronger second half for Dejan Lovren. Could have easily given a penalty away on 20 minutes but seemed to catch up to the pace of the game.

Virgil van Dijk – 6 – Could have given a penalty away for handball, did give a penalty away when he brought down Leroy Sane on 84 minutes. His all-round play was actually excellent but he was the most relieved man in Anfield when Mahrez made a hash of the spot-kick.   

Andrew Robertson – 6 – Another solid game for Andrew Robertson. Wasn’t quite the outlet that Joe Gomez was on Liverpool’s right, but was still reliable and a willing running out wide.

James Milner – 6 – Was his usual, unrelenting self but had his game cut short due to injury. Liverpool seemed to lose a little intensity in their press once he went off.

Jordan Henderson – 6 – Efficient in possession and robust in the tackle. You can see why Jurgen Klopp trusts Henderson in the biggest games and he repaid his manager once again.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6 – Looked like Liverpool’s most creative midfielder in the first half but, as Liverpool got pushed back in the second half, his influence on the game waned. Never stopped working for his teammates, however. 

Mohamed Salah – 6 – Easily the most threatening of Liverpool’s front three but still nowhere near the Mohamed Salah of last season. His highlights today we interspersed between large periods of anonymity.

Roberto Firmino – 5 – Really didn’t influence the game like we know Firmino can and so often does. Didn’t do a great deal wrong,

Sadio Mane – 5 – Not a great day at the office for Sadio Mane. Struggled to really test Kyle Walker and didn’t link up with his side with any fluidity.

Substitutes

Naby Keita (for Milner, 29 minutes) – 6 – Industrious and a fully able replacement for the injured James Milner.

Daniel Sturridge (for Firmino, 73 minutes) – 6 – Turning into a very useful substitute for Jurgen Klopp and could have scored when he got on the end of Joe Gomez’s cross but headed wide.

Manchester City 

Ederson – 6 – Rarely tested but up the task when called upon. As much as he is an assured ballplayer, he did give City fans a couple of scares with the ball in his own box.

Kyle Walker – 7 – His pace kept Sadio Mane at bay while giving City the chance to expand and move up the pitch quickly.  

John Stones – 7 – A measured performance from the England international and a real sign of faith from Guardiola to trust him in another big game. Will do his confidence a world of good going into the international break.

Aymeric Laporte – 7 – A little slack on the ball at times, but performed his defensive duties very well. Laporte and Stones look like they could be a strong, athletic pairing at the back for City.

Benjamin Mendy – 6 – Powerful and strong running forward one minute, clumsy and hapless the next. Not a terrible performance from Mendy but he could do with tightening his passing up if he is to truly suit Guardiola’s style.

Fernandinho – 7 – Had some tough games against Liverpool’s press last season but coped much this time. Assured on the ball and a good screen for City’s back four when his side began to pour forward.

Bernardo Silva – 8 – Moved through the midfield with grace and poise and, along with David Silva, formed a creative hub in the central areas for City. Bernardo Silva is really staking his claim in Pep’s starting XI.

David Silva – 8 – Formed a dynamic duo with Bernardo Silva and supplied City’s forwards with plenty of bullets in the second half. Do we expect any less from one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever seen?

Riyad Mahrez – 4 – Caught offside when looking across the line a couple of times in the first half and was generally wasteful with the ball. Asked a lot more questions of the Liverpool defence in the second half but that penalty miss was inexcusable, has the ball even come out of orbit yet?

Sergio Aguero – 4 – Seemed to do a better job in breaking down the City attack rather than spearheading it. Aguero’s Anfield woes continue and he has now gone 10 games without a goal at Anfield with both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

Raheem Sterling – 5 – Another poor return to his old stomping ground for Raheem Sterling. The booing and jeering from the Anfield faithful seem to really affect the former Liverpool man, who often misplaced passes and didn’t exploit space like he so often does for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Substitutes

Gabriel Jesus (for Sergio Aguero, 66 minutes) – 6 – City instantly improved when Jesus come on and he caused a lot of problems for Liverpool’s defence. His footwork was a joy to watch at times.

Leroy Sane (for Sterling, 75 minutes) – 6 – The fact that Leroy Sane wasn’t in the starting XI was a surprise to many and he showed why in the 15 minutes he was on the pitch. Totally out-paced Virgil van Dijk to win City’s penalty and his speed and dribbling ability nearly unlocked an otherwise watertight Liverpool defence.

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