Player ratings: Liverpool 2-2 Man City
Talk about a game of two halves!! After a worryingly flat first half, we were like a different team second half and before I start, I just want to recognise both the managers. How many times over the years have we seen the big games be hyped right up and then be a complete anti climax as both teams are scared to lose and happy with a draw before a ball is kicked. Neither Klopp or Pep ever do that, both try to win every time and there have been some brilliant clashes between the two teams over the Klopp/Pep era. Also a shout out to the fans for a fine tribute to Sir Roger. Anyway, let’s see how the lads got on.
Alisson (8.5) – Unlucky to miss out on McMOTM and over the full 90 minutes, he probably was our best player. Kept us in the game first half with some big saves and one dodgy clearance first half aside, his handling, distribution and all round goalkeeping were excellent. Far and away the best goalkeeper I’ve seen play for Liverpool in my lifetime.
Milner (6) – Bit of a mixed game but you couldn’t accuse him of not being involved. Had a bit of a torrid first half as City looked to exploit his lack of pace and could easily have given away a penalty with his challenge on Foden, how they never even got a free kick for that, only the ref will know. Also very lucky not to get sent off for a challenge on Silva second half. Was immediately heavily involved in the build up to the second goal however, sending Pep apoplectic (cue Mutley laugh).
Matip (7.5) – Unlucky with the deflected goal, I don’t think he did anything wrong there. If you can block the shot on goal you do. Overall, another solid game by Matip, brilliant pass to set up Jota for our first shot on target of the match and that lifted the crowd and team at the beginning of the second half. Loves a stroll forward with the ball and does it brilliantly.
Van Dijk (7) – Grealish played through the middle in the first half but you wouldn’t have known it as Virgil and Matip took turns in keeping him quiet. Virgil’s long passing not quite at its usual standard today and I’m sure he won’t want to see that Bernardo Silva run again but overall a steady performance.
Robertson (8) – The only thing missing from Robbo’s game at the moments is the assists. Apart from that he was outstanding today. Tried to lead by example first half when we were under the cosh, snapping into challenges and whipping up the crowd. Second half he was everywhere, winning the ball back. driving the team forward whenever he could. Defensively on point as well, good back post header from a dangerous cross and an important block in the final 10 minutes. What a guy.
Fabinho (6) – Looked like he wasn’t sure what to do first half, whether to stay with Grealish or step forward as our midfield was a bit of a mess. Improved second half and must have thought he’d won it at the end when the ball fell to him with an open goal from three yards out. Could he have taken it a bit quicker? Maybe but I think the defender also deserves some credit for a brilliant block.
Henderson (6) – Not one of our skipper’s finest performances, struggled badly first half, looked leggy and nothing was coming off for him. Needed to drop in and help Milner a bit more as well. Like the rest of the team, grew into the game second half and his trusty engine picked up and his energy was vital towards the end. I suspect he’ll be frustrated with his performance on the day though.
Jones (6) – Straight sixes for the midfield then, who were all over the place first half but showed great character and mental strength to come out and change the game second half. No lack of effort on Curtis part but struggled to make much of an impact on the game. Playing against a team like City will be huge for his development but he’s perhaps not quite at that level just yet, which fo be fair, you wouldn’t expect him to be.
Salah (9) – Just…Wow!!! Out of what looked like nothing, Salah popped up with a goal of the season contender. It had everything, strength, skill, technique and finish. Got the assist for the first goal as well, brilliantly skipping past Cancelo, driving inside and playing Mane in. It was mentioned on the match thread and I mentioned it in the last ratings, Salah looks like the best player in the world right now. The club need to find a compromise with his new contract as Salah is irreplaceable to this Liverpool team. For that goal alone, Salah is this week’s McMOTM.
Jota (6) – Barely got a sniff first half but it was his shot on target from the aforementioned pass from Matip that started the second half display. One brilliant run and pass to Salah as well but I’d like to see more of that from him. Jota only has one or two assists to his name in his time with us I’m sure and while you can’t argue with his goal return, I’d like to see him getting more involved in the build up.
Mane (7) – Frustrating first half as his touch let him down time and again and it seemed the only idea we had was playing the ball over the top with Mane running behind Dias. That run eventually paid off however but it was from Salah’s through ball and Mane promptly finished off the move. Looking more confident in front of goal by the week now and starting to look a lot more like his old self.
Subs:
Firmino (6) – Struggled to make much of an offensive impact when he came on but a willing runner.
Gomez (6) – Read and intercepted one back post bound cross brilliantly and brought a bit more pace to our right side. More minutes under his belt.
Klopp-watch (7) – I thought Klopp got his team selection wrong today. Without Thiago or Trent, we had no playmaker so Bobby had to start in my opinion. We badly needed someone in the first half to put their foot on the ball and get some rhythm into our passing. It’s a big ask to expect Curtis to be the team’s playmaker, up against some of the best players in the world and Hendo was having one of those games. God knows what he said at halftime however because we were like a different team second half and could easily have won the game.
Summary
A very entertaining, if nerve wracking game then, especially second half as two excellent teams went toe to toe. Frustration and elation but isn’t that what our beautiful game is all about?
On the overall balance of play, I think a draw was a fair result and count it as a point gained, as opposed to two points lost. What a season this is shaping up to be. The three clear standout teams in this League, ourselves, City and Chelsea could all make a case for being Europe’s best and if the three teams can keep their big players fit for most of the season, this title race is going right to the wire. Lots of hard yards and twists and turns to go before any medals will be getting handed out though.
On to another excruciating international break now so if anyone has an article they’ve been thinking about, any content sent in will be most welcome to pass the time until the real footy starts again. Anyway, that’s it for now. Walk on!
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