Liverpool FC – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Gameweek 12
Manchester City jaws drop, in the Champions League group the Reds are top. Guardiola gives it all, as he throws a pre-match curve ball. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
The three points against Manchester City tonight. Goals from Man of The Match Fabinho, Mo Salah and Sadio Mané were enough to see Liverpool put their rivals in their place during a feisty encounter at Anfield.
City pulled one back late on through Bernardo Silva but it was too little, too late for a frustrated Pep Guardiola.
This was arguably an easier game than the pivotal one at the City of Manchester Stadium last season against a Blues side that in my opinion seem to have lost the cutting edge that saw them win the league last season.
A very impressive display from Jürgen Klopp’s men. They were in control of the game from the first whistle. I didn’t feel City ever really threatened to push Liverpool. Too many wayward passes and poor finishes from City put paid to that.
“Focussed, contrasted, really composed. It was so good!”
The Reds now stand eight points clear of Brendan Rodgers’ impressive Leicester City and look thoroughly good value for their lead right now.
"It's a massive win against our closest rivals. They beat us to the league last year and it looks like they're going to be our closest rivals again this time. To win like this, in a big game, is massive"
– Andrew Robertson#LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/t6zlvpZUvQ
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 10, 2019
The (Not) Bad
Liverpool remain top of Group E in this season’s Champions League. A 2-1 victory against KRC Genk saw the Reds move to top after Napoli could only draw with Red Bull Salzburg.
A goal and Man of The Match Performance Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was enough to cancel out Mbwana Samatta’s headed equaliser. Liverpool took the lead through the mercurial Gini Wijnaldum on 14 minutes but were unable to capitalise on their 72% possession.
Klopp’s men now look certain to make the knockout stages following their opening game defeat to Napoli and have maintained a winning record since. The Italians are a single point behind and remain the only threat to another successful Champions League group campaign.
Let’s see how this turns out but you’d be forgiven for avoiding a bet on Liverpool qualifying top right now, despite their rich vein of form.
FT: 2-1 to #LFC. Gini and Ox get on the scoresheet. This win puts us in a brilliant position in the group.
Next, City on Sunday. 🔴#LIVGNK #UCL pic.twitter.com/3cf9bvBsRg
— Inder (@inderghandial) November 5, 2019
The Ugly
Pep Guardiola’s incessant moaning. I’m sure this man could start an argument in an empty room. Ahead of today’s game, the City boss decided the only worthwhile comment he could make in his pre-match was about the attack on the team bus in last season’s fixture at Anfield.
Of course, nobody wants to see that kind of behaviour, least of all from Liverpool supporters. However, the club has apologised and tried to take action. That should be the end of it. Instead, the ex-Bayern boss has tried to stoke up feelings between the two clubs.
Sadly, today it backfired. Ultimately, it helped to create an electric atmosphere at Anfield and provide some motivation for his opponents. Well done Pep!
Klopp summed up Liverpool’s performance today as “… focussed, concentrated and composed…” shame the same couldn’t be said about his opponent today.
Manchester City's bus arrives at Anfield unscathed as hundreds of Liverpool fans line the streets with flares to provide hostile welcome for Pep Guardiola and his team #LIVMCI
✍️ | @MailSport https://t.co/sOGIeOjZXW
— Ieuan Ivett (@ieuanivett) November 10, 2019
Next up we have a tricky trip down to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace followed by the visit to Anfield of Napoli a few days later. Bring it on!
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