Manchester City FC 1-4 Liverpool FC – Post match opinion
Liverpool bounced back from their defeat to Crystal Palace in spectacular fashion yesterday with a thoroughly deserved win against Premier League Leaders and favourites Manchester City. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Martin Skrtel added to Eliaquim Mangala’s seventh minute own goal to give the visitors a comfortable win, despite Sergio Aguero pulling one back for the hosts late on in the first half.
Jürgen Klopp surprised everyone with his selection in attack as Firmino started ahead of the expected Christian Benteke. Daniel Sturridge as predicted made the bench. Elsewhere, there were no surprises as Dejan Lovren replaced Mamadou Sakho in defence alongside Alberto Moreno, Skrtel and Nathaniel Clyne. Lucas Leiva continued his solid work in front of the defence between Emre Can and James Milner who returned to the side after injury. Further forward, Coutinho and Adam Lallana supported Firmino.
The basis for this win was hard work, teamwork and of course belief. Those three things won this game for Liverpool. That and the fact that City simply didn’t get started. It’s equally right to say that their visitors didn’t let them. This is a fact that shouldn’t go unnoticed because in doing so, there is a disservice to an outstanding performance from Klopp’s men. Excellent high pressing from Lallana, and Coutinho and Firmino worked wonders against their lack-lustre hosts.
It was Coutinho’s pressing and exchange with Firmino – after dispossessing Bacary Sagna – that led to Mangala’s own goal on four minutes. The home defender turning into his own net with the visiting number 10 poised to tap in. On 23 minutes, Liverpool extended their lead again through excellent work high up the pitch from Firmino as he pressured the City back line to win a ball he had absolutely no right to. His driving run and slide-rule ball into the City penalty area was deftly converted with a first time effort from Coutinho with Joe Hart helpless. 0-2 the Reds.
Milner put in a great shift and his partnership with Can in the advanced central midfield roles was outstanding. For me, this was probably the best display from the ex-Man City attacker since his move to Liverpool in the summer. His commitment in the tackle also played a huge part in this performance, breaking up a City attacks as they finally woke up toward the end of the first half, exchanging passes with Firmino before steaming forward to release a ball to Coutinho whose shot was parried away by Hart. It didn’t stop there.
Again, Liverpool were alive to the lose ball and Can’s super back-heel pass to Coutinho was pushed into the path of Firmino who tapped in to make it three without reply on 32 minutes. City were done for. The visiting number 10 had a couple of chances to put the game well beyond City’s reach but a mixture of poor finishing from Firmino coupled with excellent goalkeeping Hart prevented the scoreline becoming an embarrassment. Although it’s cliche’d to say it… It really could have been four or five at this point. Then of course, that familiar rearguard frailty raised it’s ugly head.
City tried in vain to come back into the game. With half time looming and the prospect of going into the break empty-handed Aguero pulled one back on 44 minutes. His cut inside and right-foot shot from the edge of the Liverpool box gave Simon Mignolet no chance, such was the quality of his strike. 1-3 at half time.
The second half was less eventful with Liverpool playing out a crucial first 15 minutes of the second half to thwart any Man City fight back. The introductions of Fernandinho and Fabian Delph for Yaya Touré and Jesus Navas respectively done nothing to help the hosts as the Merseysiders answered all questions asked of them. The introduction of Jordan Ibe for Coutinho and Benteke for Firmino simply served to reinforce the resolve in this Liverpool side.
Indeed as the prospect of a home stuffing began to dawn on Manuel Pellegrini and his men, the unlikeliest of scorers in Martin Skrtel popped up to thunder a right-foot volley through the crowded City defence and put the result beyond any doubt it at all, there was any. The fans ecstatic and the Slovakian so to the extent of taking out a photographer in the celebration!
One thing noticeable about this showing was that Liverpool won most of the second balls. This is something they haven’t been doing for a while and was very reassuring to see. The plan was to stop City playing by simply not giving them the chance to do so and imposing our gam on them rather than the other way around. The commentary said City were “out of sorts” but this really does do Liverpool a great injustice. The Citizens were simply outplayed and outfought by a hungry LFC side that came to win. And win they did. Emphatically.
The travelling support was magnificent and got behind the team which is something that has been up for debate recently. I wouldn’t say the travelling support are worthy of this criticism as they sang their hearts out and really got behind the team. This is what it’s all about. This is support. It’s at home that their enthusiasm is often below par.
In his post match press conference when asked about the subject of feeling “alone” as he put it after the defeat to Crystal Palace, Klopp was at pains to elaborate his intended meaning. Explaining that his aim is that “Nobody wants to miss a second” when watching Liverpool.
This wasn’t by any means a perfect performance. This is simply what’s been asked of the players since Klopp’s arrival. Belief. Being “Cool” in front of goal. Working hard and enjoying the game of football. Last night they done that and reaped the rewards. With this kind of approach, consistently over time the manager will get his wish. With performances like that, Nobody will want to miss a second.
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