By: Dan Clubbe
Man City 4-1 Liverpool – A Tale Of Two Halves
The Reds were fully involved in an enthralling first half before submitting in the second – unfortunately an all too familiar story this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started fast and took the lead when Mohamed Salah opened the scoring after impressive hold-up play from Diogo Jota. The visitors could have doubled their lead when Salah broke clear, but the mecurial Egyptian couldn’t find Diogo Jota on the counter before Rodri was fortunate to escape a second yellow for a clear foul on Cody Gakpo that brought to an end another chance to counter.
However, from that moment on it was one-way traffic as Julian Alvarez equalised before Kevin De Bruyne fired the hosts in front moments after the break. Ilkay Gundogan put the game to bed before Jack Grealish iced the cake on another humbling afternoon for Klopp’s charges.
Top four looks more and more distant…
Here’s how I rated those involved:
Alisson Becker 6 – Very little he could do with any goal. Took some chances with his distribution but just another one of those days for him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 4 – Many will make him the scapegoat but in truth, he and the entire defence were overrun time and time again at the back. Not his usual attacking self either.
Ibrahima Konate 4 – Part of a backline that was all at sea on more than one occasion.
Virgil van Dijk 4 – Didn’t cover himself in glory for the goals and for a man who did pride himself on clean sheets, this is another day’s work to forget.
Andy Robertson 4 – Offered his never say die running down the left all day but the service just wasn’t on point.
See how Chris rated the Reds during The LFC Fan Interactive Show
Jordan Henderson 5 – Added to the starting lineup for his experience, endeavour and work rate in a midfield pivot alongside Fabinho, seemed to work a treat in the first half but was nowhere to be seen in a tough second 45.
Fabinho 5 – Fortunate to escape a booking early on and like his teammates, disappeared out of sight when the going got tough.
Harvey Elliott 4 – Chasing shadows at times in a hybrid midfield/attacking role. Another harsh learning curve.
Diogo Jota 6 – Still not his ruthless self when given a sniff but managed to keep the move alive for the first.
Cody Gakpo 7 – One of few to leave the Etihad having impressed. Strong on the turn and showing a willingness to make an impact. Although nobody is immune from criticism following such a poor display, the Dutchman comes close.
Mohamed Salah 6 – Opened the scoring with a cooly-taken finish to make it 11 goals v City. Got his pass wrong when he had the chance to potentially double Liverpool’s lead. Cut a frustrated figure on his exit from the pitch.
Subs:
Darwin Nunez NA – Minutes in the legs with the game already dead and buried.
Roberto Firmino NA – ”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain NA – ”
Kostas Tsimikas NA – ”
James Milner NA – “
Conclusion: The Reds were fully involved in a crazy first 45 but bystanders in the second. The defending was shambolic at times, embarrassing at others and a mismatch throughout.
With two more huge games against Chelsea and Arsenal next up, it’s hard to see where we go from here.
