Manchester City 0, Liverpool 2 - Match Recap: Not A Threat In Sight
A look back at the key moments in Liverpool’s comfortable victory over Manchester City in Premier League action.
Manchester City 0 - 2 Liverpool
Liverpool: Salah 14’, Szoboszlai 37’
Pre-Match
To say the anticipatory anxiety is high right now is maybe an understatement. Liverpool travel down to the Eithad Stadium today to play a struggling Manchester City and the feeling that the league is right there for the taking is tangible in this moment. With a win today Liverpool could go 11 points clear at the top of the table and the pressure is on amidst a swirl of press just waiting for us to slip up. Liverpool have a mostly fit squad though and everything ahead of them. The emotions around today are distinct - just win, and keep winning.
First Half
Liverpool take control from the off and the fans at the stadium respond by singing the Stevie slip song, as if that incident wasn’t over ten years ago now. City unfortunately pick up a quick turnover and push forward enough for Konaté to be threatened but his clearance earns them a corner kick that is pushed away by Alisson. Unfortunately Liverpool’s quick start has fizzled out as City pick up a couple of our sloppy passes and are off to the races. We always knew City would be well organized despite who they do or don’t have on the pitch and that organization is doing its job in these first ten minutes to make things harder for us.
Liverpool get forward through a sustained string of passes, finally getting the ball to Salah around the 12th minute and though the winger is dispossessed in the box, we get the ball back and Diaz has a chance that is dealt with, leading to a corner. Alexis Mac Allister takes it and sends it rolling towards Jones, who passes it to Salah and THERE IT IS! LIVERPOOL LEAD! The ball took a deflection off Nathan Aké, but the goal was all Salah and it’s 1-0! And now we can breathe a little bit.
Liverpool’s sloppy spell didn’t last long thankfully, as City appears to have taken over that role despite having most of the possession. Liverpool’s movement has had more intent and they’ve been able to take the ball from City fairly often as they keep them from any meaningful opportunities. They’ve had a couple shots on target but thankfully Alisson has been there and on top of things, including when Phil Foden sends a rocket towards goal from a free kick but the ball goes into the Brazilian’s arms. City find what looks to be an equalizer soon after, but Omar Marmoush was just offside when receiving the ball so the goal is ruled out quickly and the score remains 1-0. Play stops for a bit as Alexis Mac Allister goes down with a potential head injury and is assessed on the pitch, but the midfielder is ruled fit to return.
IT’S TWO! After a beautiful build up play starting from Konate, Liverpool are able to get forward with Mo Salah again passing towards Dominik Szoboszlai, who hoofs it at goal past four defenders and makes it 2-0 for the Reds! Konate is having an incredible game, after clearing a City free kick with a header and blocking a shot from Doku, leading to raucous applause from the away fans. The hosts look bereft without the ball and Liverpool have done well to predict their movements when they get it back. City are doing the most and Liverpool are sitting in second gear, so there’s a distinct feeling that we can put this to bed in the second half.
Second Half
We come out again for the second half, having made no changes. City resume their possession, but Liverpool’s defense has been ready for whatever they attempt, as evidenced by Virgil forcing Gvardiol to shoot towards a corner that doesn’t end in anything. The most effective plays for Liverpool have been their ability to shut down Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, frustrating their midfield. Jeremy Doku has been a threat on the right that the Reds are struggling with, but thankfully not so much of a threat as to cause worries for us.
Liverpool have certainly been the more threatening presence in this half, moving forward with urgency every time they get the ball and a bit of open space. Case in point, Szoboszlai once again picks up a pass from Ryan Gravenberch, gets right in front of goal, lays it off to Curtis Jones, who scores but the goal is ruled offside after a brief VAR check. Oh well, plenty of time and space to make it happen again. We’re only an hour into the match after all.
City are starting to wilt now as they push themselves into making things happen, making things ripe for Liverpool to take over once again. Luis Diaz takes an ambitious shot from outside the box that is blocked by Ederson and leads to a corner that almost finds the captain’s head but is cleared by the hosts. City are the first to make a change in the 65th minute, taking off De Bruyne for James McAtee, in an attempt to take control of their midfield once more. Doku once again beats Trent Alexander-Arnold and the hosts make a run at goal, and some chaos makes sure that the ball is moved away thanks again to our centerbacks.
The best part of this game has been seeing City try their very hardest and not get anywhere. After so many years of seeing them as a threat and the utmost work we’ve had to do to get over them, the imbalance here has been delightful. I am not worried that they’ll find some weakness in us (because they have). They’ve been unable to exploit it, due to our defensive strength today. It’s a relief, honestly. Even as they have a spell of possession in the 70th minute, and pass once again to Doku to get the ball into the box, their efforts are thwarted by Alisson as the rain comes down.
Liverpool make their first changes in the 72nd minute, bringing on Kostas Tsimikas for Andy Robertson, and Wataru Endo for Curtis Jones, and not long after City send on some of their best to try and get something out of this match. Liverpool respond by bringing on Cody Gakpo for Luis Diaz, showing their intent to keep this going. Even with Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan coming on, there is no fear or trepidation in this Liverpool side. We’ve beaten them before and we’re about to do it again. Szoboszlai very nearly has a second goal after another assist from Salah but is stopped by a City defender and Liverpool win a corner. Konate gets a touch on Macca’s shot but isn’t able to get it into the net. We’re in the last five or so minutes of the match, and sure another goal would be nice but honestly the ref could blow the whistle now and we’d be fine. As it stands, four minutes are added on as City fans steadily leave the stadium, and Salah is taken off for Harvey Elliott and Jarrell Quansah comes on for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Final Thoughts
City tried their hardest but Liverpool comfortably did the thing! 11 points clear at the top of the table, taking out one of our toughest competitors without leaving second gear, it’s a good day to be a Red.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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