Liverpool 0, Manchester City 0: First Thoughts

A fairly reserved performance by Liverpool sees us maintain our unbeaten record at Anfield, but lose two points in the process.

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Liverpool 0 - 0 Manchester City

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• Pre-Match Thought: So uh, that Lovren-Gomez switch, huh? That’s something. This is definitely the game to be doing that. That doesn’t help the nerves.
• Oh. We started. This could get ugly.
• Mohamed Salah with an early chance after beating three defenders but sends his shot just barely wide and weak.
• Liverpool definitely seem like they’ve got their heads a bit back, spending most of the first five minutes in the City half and pressing hard.
• We’ve had a couple of corners so far but they’ve been relatively shit so not worth mentioning but nothing else is worth mentioning either so here we are.
• Hey by the way, Raheem Sterling has yet to score against us since his moved to City so isn’t that fun?
• Oh that. That was probably a penalty but uh... this ref likes us for some reason?
• Despite all the chances so far, we’re about 25 minutes in at this point and it feels very cautious? Not defensive but something about it feels like we’re waiting.
• James Milner comes off injured - it looks precautionary to be honest - and Naby Keita comes on. Not gonna lie, and I love Milly, but this might work more in our favor.
• Nevermind, this ref is weird after Fernandinho tries to basically kick Mane while he’s down and hands out two free kicks to City. He’s clearly trying to make up for the penalty he didn’t give, I guess.
• For all the back and forth of this game, it’s nice to see Liverpool at their harrying best. They’re doing all they can to make things difficult for City and after the malaise of the Napoli game on Wednesday, it’s a welcome sight.
• If this half ends goalless I’m going to be real mad.
• Halftime: It did end goalless, but not without it’s chances for Liverpool. Hoping we can actually shot around Ederson like we’ve been able to in the past. Also this is the type of game where we really miss a midfielder like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picking up the second balls and just pushing forward. No one is doing that right now. Hopefully we can.
• HERE WE GO! No changes at the half but that’s about what we all expected, right?
• We just need one to open this game up, lads. Just one. And preferably not by City.
• Chaos in the box briefly when basically every Liverpool got a touch on the ball but every City player was there to keep it from going anywhere.
• Sergio Aguero picks up a yellow card for a late push on Jordan Henderson and you all know how I feel about that.
• Fernandinho just took the worst long range shot I’ve ever seen and Pep just sat down asking his assistant “what was that” and it was HILARIOUS.
• Things are getting wild here as Riyad Mahrez takes two shots for the visitors and can’t finish them.
• It’s kind of nice to watch a ref being generous with the cards but for the other team. Doesn’t really happen a whole lot and definitely not at Anfield. We’ll see if he gives a second to Fernandinho, though, because he’s definitely earned it.
• ALMOST. MO WITH THE PERFECT CHANCE and skies it. So much frustration.
• Klopp makes his second change and it’s Daniel Sturridge for Roberto Firmino. Goals are coming.
• There it is, his record intact, Raheem Sterling comes off for Leroy Sane.
• God, watching Daniel Sturridge play so deep is like the thing of dreams. It makes me so happy to see him chasing down every ball like his life depends on it.
• We. Need. Goals. GIVE US WHAT WE NEED. PLEASE.
• Jesus Christ, this ref is really adverse to giving a second yellow isn’t he? Fernandinho is going to have to murder someone on the pitch and maybe even then he won’t get a second yellow.
• Oh yeah, no that’s - that’s a penalty. Virgil van Dijk tackles Leroy Sane in the box and the ref gives the call but City make the mistake of naming Mahrez as their penalty taker and he sends it skyward.
• I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING GOOD I SAID ABOUT THIS REF. EVERYTHING.
• Hahahahahah he gave Georginio Wijnaldum a yellow because he could. What the fuck.
• Three minutes of added time here. Someone has to do SOMETHING.
• Final Whistle: An afternoon of frustration for Liverpool - NOTHING HAPPENED. One of those matches that you literally cannot believe ended in nothing. We need our shooting boots.

We’ll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today’s game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven’t already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we’ll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com