If the Anfield faithful were
expecting a match full of quality with so much excellence on view, they would be mistaken.
If they were disappointed by the quality, the result would have please them as a rather scratchy affair
was decided by a devastating move and finish from Georginio Winaldum.
The occasion
was built as one of titanic proportions with the two managers having locked
horns in Pep Guardiola’s first two seasons in Germany with their personal score
being 4-4.
Guardiola
probably looked auut Liverpool’s starting eleven not the least bit surprised to
see Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi on the bench. No matter the protestations from Jurgen Klopp
as to whether Firmino is an out and out striker, he resembles the type of force
number 9 that the Manchester City manager would regularly start in so many of
his La Liga games at Barcelona.
Liverpool
started with Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Georghino Wijnaldum in midfield
with Adam Lallana moving into the forward line.
The idea being to nullify City’s much vaunted attacking midfield of
Silva, De Brrune and Silva supported by Yaya Toure.
Man City
started well without threatening the Anfield Road end goal. Raheem Sterling returning once again to his
former home was booed unmercifully and it’s difficult to say whether the treatment
dished out affected his overall play because he showed character in continually
showing for the ball, whereas City’s other creative players in Silva, De Bruyne
and Yaya Toure failed to show up, which in turn starved Sergio Aguero of
service.
Only eight
minutes in and Liverpool were ahead in inimitable style.
A Man City
attack broke down deep in the Liverpool half on the left. The ball was played in to Wijnaldum who
flicked the ball on to Firmino and began to make his run. The Brazilian turned and looked up to see
Lallana running free on the left-wing. Collecting Firmino’s pass ball, the
inform player moved, as is wont, serenely towards the area before delivering a
left-footed curling cross which was met by Wijnaldum with a thumping header from
12 yards which tore past the flailing outstretched arms of Bravo. It was a goal that said everything about
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
It could so
easily have been two. James Milner, the
main reason for Sterling’s ineffectiveness, played a glorious curling through
ball to Firmino that begged to be controlled to send him through.
Unfortunately, the player miss-controlled with a chance beckoning.
Firmino was again
involved, delaying his pass a fraction of a second with he and Lallana in a two on one situation which saw the latter
flagged offside.
City were
better in the second-half, not much, but better. They dominated possession, without much of a
cutting edge. The improved performance was as much to do with Liverpool’s
sudden lackadaisical approach than any change of formation by City.
David Silva,
cutting in from the right channel whipped his shot just past the upright which
is as good as it got for the away team with Aguero a virtual bystander limited
to one shot from outside the area which was easily gathered by Mignolet.
Even with
possession at times reaching 74 per cent City never looked likely to level,
with only the home team’s error prone passing likely to gift wrap them any
festive.
Jordan
Henderson went off with his old heel injury flaring up to be replaced by Divock
Origi.
Another hard
fought win putting us 6 points behind Chelsea and four ahead of Man City.
Man of the match:
Giorgino Wijnaldum – A stunning header from the ex-Newcastle man gave
Liverpool all three points. He hasn’t as
yet become the consistent goal scorer performer that his career statistics
suggest he should be, but that hasn’t deterred him from getting into goal
scoring positions. He provides Liverpool
the box to box drive going both ways.
Critical eye:
Liverpool played a lot deeper than normal grinding out a result. It was a game with only three attempts on
target and Liverpool were patient and but for carelessness in attack could
quite easily have gone into the break two-up.
Interestingly,
Liverpool have now beaten Man City in their last four Premier League meetings,
but more noteworthy in terms of performance, was their ability to play against
type and battle through to gain a result, their third clean sheet in the last
four games.
Two players
in particular signify the change. James
Milner, is arguably Liverpool’s de facto leader. He doesn’t just lead by example he is often
seen instructing his team mates. Against
City he was exceptional. Against the
lightning fast Raheem Sterling, he used all his experience restricting the
winger to very few creative opportunities.
He gives Klopp the extra dimension with his ability to create from
anywhere down the left flank.
Ragmar
Klavan was excellent. He is an
old-fashioned defender. Less flamboyant
than the modern type of centre-half expected to have the skillset of a sweeper
and midfielder rolled into one, he clears his lines when needed and uses his
positional sense to ensure that his lack of pace is not exposed and again it’s
no coincidence that Liverpool have looked more secure since he was given a run
in the side without Matip and Joe Gomez still to return from injury.
Liverpool
showed an ability to sit back and counter-attack when the need arises rather
than relying on the energy sapping pressing game which they used only in parts
which shows they are acquiring an ability to adapt to circumstance.
Team:
Liverpool: 22 Mignolet, 2 Clyne, 6 Lovren, 17
Klavan, 7 Milner, 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (Origi – 64 mins), 23 Can, 19 Mane
(Lucas – 89 mins), 11 Firmino, 20 Lallana
Subs: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge, 18 Moreno,
21 Lucas, 27 Origi, 53 Ejaria, 66 Alexander-Arnold
Man City: 1 Bravo, 5 Zabaleta (Jesus Navas –
86 mins), 24 Stones, 30 Otamendi, 11 Kolarov, 42 Yaya Toure (Iheanacho – 89 mins),
25 Fernandinho, 7 Sterling, 17 De Bruyne, 21 Silva, 10 Aguero
Subs: 3 Sagna, 6 Fernando, 13 Caballero,
15 Jesus Navas, 22 Clichy, 72 Iheanacho, 75 Garcia
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 53,120
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