A game that summed up an era

As the curtain came down on the Klopp v Pep era of the Premier League, I first want to appreciate the manner in which both teams and managers have approached these games over the years. So often through the PL era, the biggest games have been drab and cagey affairs. I’ve lost count of how many drab 0-0 draws United and Chelsea played out while they were competing for the title, both teams more afraid of losing than trying to win. Our games against City have never been like that which is a testament to the two managers. They’ve served up some thrilling encounters and yesterday was no different.

Onto the game itself yesterday, I needed time away to digest what had happened as I was absolutely furious at full time and not just because of the late denied penalty shout. How, just HOW did we not win that game? We conceded such a soft goal, Mac Allister who was actually my McMOTM yesterday, had to do better at the front post to stop that ball coming in, it was a frustrating goal to concede to a team like City. They had the best of the opening exchanges but we grew into the game as the first half wore on.

Second half however, we battered them. I can’t ever remember seeing a city side under Pep, or in fact ANY Guardiola team being so under the cosh for such long periods in a game. They were rattled, making uncharacteristic mistakes when playing out from the back and in general were there for the taking if not for our profligacy in front of goal, with Diaz being the main culprit. The one v one in particular, perfect angle with plenty time to pick his spot and he puts it three yards wide? You simply can’t do that in these games. He was a livewire throughout and did a lot well but what I wouldn’t have given for Jota to have been on the pitch and presented with a couple of those chances. He’s been a huge miss. There was the chance where Robbo put it on a plate for Darwin from three yards out as well and I don’t know why Gakpo tried to lay Salah off instead of shooting when presented with a late chance himself. His form is something of a worry and the fact Elliot was selected ahead of him in attack for such a big game tells its own story.

The second half started so well with the early penalty, expertly dispatched by Mac Allister who should be our designated penalty taker moving forward in my opinion. His record blows Salah’s out the water and there’s no room for sentiment or personal glory when you’re trying to win the biggest trophies. Speaking of Salah, he stank the place out when he came on as well but good to see him back nonetheless.

There were other notable excellent performances, Virgil and Quansah were solid at CB, Bradley caused them problems down the right and Endo impresses me more week on week. He’s up to speed with the PL now and while at the start of the season he was a second late to everything and giving away silly fouls, he’s now expertly timing his interceptions and has a real knack for getting his foot in. Last season I railed against Pep Ljinders saying that from now on our transfers would be focused on “youth and game changers” or nothing at all. Endo is proving that there’s plenty players out there that can still do a job for the team, even if you’re unable to secure your top targets. It makes a lot more sense than knowingly going into a season short in key areas and just hoping for the best. He’s proving to be an absolute steal for what we paid for him.

As for the penalty shout at the end, I think the officials bottled it, given how late in the game it was and the fact we’d already been awarded a penalty. Anywhere else on the pitch that’s given as a foul and had there been half an hour still to play, the penalty is likely awarded. It’s a high boot all day long that endangered the opponent. I’m not going to lay the blame solely at the officials feet however. Our inability to score from open play despite creating plenty clear cut chances is what cost us the three points yesterday and it may very well come back to bite us when the medals are handed out at the end of the season.

In some ways it almost summed up the Klopp-Guardiola era. We’re the only team that’s been able to lay a glove on City in this time but for various reasons, more often than not we’ve fallen just short. Record points tally’s for runners up, beset by injuries in such a way that just doesn’t seem to happen to other clubs etc, highlighted by the fact that City were at full strength yesterday while we had a host of key players missing and still gave them all they could handle and more. You’re left with feelings of pride and frustration in equal measure.

At the end of the day, a point against City is always a good point, although yesterday certainly felt like two points dropped to me. Whether it will cost is in the long run remains to be seen. Walk on!