Liverpool 3 - Man City 1 (Match Review)
Slowly but surely this match is turning into a Premier League classic. Liverpool and Manchester City once again stun us with another exhilarating 90 minutes. Liverpool extend their lead up top the Premier League table by beating Manchester City 3-1 at Anfield. Now they are 8 points ahead of 2nd and 3rd place and are ahead of Manchester City by 9 points. After last year’s 0-0 at Anfield, this match had a completely different complexion. With both teams defensively weaker than during the last season (Especially Manchester City), there were bound to be some goals.
Manchester City were fortunate enough to get Rodri and David Silva match fit before the game. Rodri could provide defensive cover for Fernandinho and John Stones. David Silva was benched as expected. Angelino covered the left-flank instead of Mendy and Zinchenko. Overall, City were geared to put up the fight of their lives. Google even had them favourites for the game; 38% City win, 27% draw, 35% Liverpool win. City’s main threat (As usual) came from their front-three and Kevin De Bruyne.
Liverpool on the other hand went with their usual 11, except for Dejan lovern, who was put in instead of Joel Matip who is out with a knee injury. It was a must-win game for both teams and both teams showed immense confidence at the most stressful moments.
In the first half, Liverpool took a bombastic lead after Fabinho smashed a shot from around 28 yards or so. The ball rolled to his feet after the City defence failed to clear the ball out of their box properly. However, there was a lot of controversy before the goal as the ball seemed to strike the hand of Trent after Bernardo Silva tried to cut through the Liverpool Defence. Handball was not given as the referee spotted the ball hit Bernardo’s arm before it hit Trent (Good call by the referee). Pep went berserk through the process. Salah managed to double the lead in the 13th minute after an excellent counter attack from Liverpool. Trent played in Robertson with a 50 yard pass who whipped in a ‘Debruynesque’ cross to Salah who headed it in. Angelino had a great chance to score after De Bruyne played him through the Liverpool centre backs; his shot hit the far post. Half time arrived and put Liverpool in a good position to see out the game. In the 51st minute Mane made it 3-0 after Henderson crossed the ball from near the touch-line. Liverpool were flying.
Fabinho celebrating after scoring the opener
Mane’s goal was pretty much the end of Liverpool’s absolute dominance. Although City had many chances throughout the game, most of it came in the second half. Sterling was ripping up Trent in the left flank and causing havoc. Angelino whipped in dangerous crosses which were cleared out by the Liverpool defence in panic. Aguero almost ended his Anfield curse as he was inches away from connecting with a De Bruyne pass which went across goal. Chances kept coming and in the 78th minute Bernardo Silva pulled off a tight finish from the right side. At the score at 3-1, Liverpool brought on defensive players to see out the game.
There was another Trent handball called in the second half which made Pep scream at the sky (He had 2 fingers pointed up as he screamed “Twice” for the 2 hand balls which happened). The reason why this was not given as a penalty was not clear. Sterling and Joe Gomez had a quick bust up after Gomez physically retrieved the ball from Sterling.
Sterling and Gomez having an altercation
The result was tight for Liverpool as City had equal or even more chances to put the game to bed. Klopp was ecstatic about the result as his post-match comments show.
Manchester City are in no way out of the title race, but Liverpool have a massive lead over them. Whether Liverpool can maintain this lead or not is another question. Premier League action continues after the international break where Liverpool go away to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace and Man. City invite an exciting Chelsea side to the Etihad for a ‘top six’ clash.
Slowly but surely this match is turning into a Premier League classic. Liverpool and Manchester City once again stun us with another exhilarating 90 minutes. Liverpool extend their lead up top the Premier League table by beating Manchester City 3-1 at Anfield. Now they are 8 points ahead of 2nd and 3rd place and are ahead of Manchester City by 9 points. After last year’s 0-0 at Anfield, this match had a completely different complexion. With both teams defensively weaker than during the last season (Especially Manchester City), there were bound to be some goals.
Manchester City were fortunate enough to get Rodri and David Silva match fit before the game. Rodri could provide defensive cover for Fernandinho and John Stones. David Silva was benched as expected. Angelino covered the left-flank instead of Mendy and Zinchenko. Overall, City were geared to put up the fight of their lives. Google even had them favourites for the game; 38% City win, 27% draw, 35% Liverpool win. City’s main threat (As usual) came from their front-three and Kevin De Bruyne.
Liverpool on the other hand went with their usual 11, except for Dejan lovern, who was put in instead of Joel Matip who is out with a knee injury. It was a must-win game for both teams and both teams showed immense confidence at the most stressful moments.
Liverpool on the other hand went with their usual 11, except for Dejan lovern, who was put in instead of Joel Matip who is out with a knee injury. It was a must-win game for both teams and both teams showed immense confidence at the most stressful moments.
In the first half, Liverpool took a bombastic lead after Fabinho smashed a shot from around 28 yards or so. The ball rolled to his feet after the City defence failed to clear the ball out of their box properly. However, there was a lot of controversy before the goal as the ball seemed to strike the hand of Trent after Bernardo Silva tried to cut through the Liverpool Defence. Handball was not given as the referee spotted the ball hit Bernardo’s arm before it hit Trent (Good call by the referee). Pep went berserk through the process. Salah managed to double the lead in the 13th minute after an excellent counter attack from Liverpool. Trent played in Robertson with a 50 yard pass who whipped in a ‘Debruynesque’ cross to Salah who headed it in. Angelino had a great chance to score after De Bruyne played him through the Liverpool centre backs; his shot hit the far post. Half time arrived and put Liverpool in a good position to see out the game. In the 51st minute Mane made it 3-0 after Henderson crossed the ball from near the touch-line. Liverpool were flying.
Mane’s goal was pretty much the end of Liverpool’s absolute dominance. Although City had many chances throughout the game, most of it came in the second half. Sterling was ripping up Trent in the left flank and causing havoc. Angelino whipped in dangerous crosses which were cleared out by the Liverpool defence in panic. Aguero almost ended his Anfield curse as he was inches away from connecting with a De Bruyne pass which went across goal. Chances kept coming and in the 78th minute Bernardo Silva pulled off a tight finish from the right side. At the score at 3-1, Liverpool brought on defensive players to see out the game.
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| Fabinho celebrating after scoring the opener |
There was another Trent handball called in the second half which made Pep scream at the sky (He had 2 fingers pointed up as he screamed “Twice” for the 2 hand balls which happened). The reason why this was not given as a penalty was not clear. Sterling and Joe Gomez had a quick bust up after Gomez physically retrieved the ball from Sterling.
The result was tight for Liverpool as City had equal or even more chances to put the game to bed. Klopp was ecstatic about the result as his post-match comments show.
 |
| Sterling and Gomez having an altercation |
Manchester City are in no way out of the title race, but Liverpool have a massive lead over them. Whether Liverpool can maintain this lead or not is another question. Premier League action continues after the international break where Liverpool go away to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace and Man. City invite an exciting Chelsea side to the Etihad for a ‘top six’ clash.
Man City deserved the win or at least a draw
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