Manchester City’s 22-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an emphatic end as Liverpool edged Pep Guardiola’s side in a 7 goal thriller at Anfield. In what was one of the great games of the season so far, Liverpool boosted their hopes of a top 4 finish showing the rest of the Premier League how to come up trumps against Manchester City. A great spectacle and another great advert of what the Premier League has been about this season.
Here are my takes on what was an enthralling and entertaining spectacle:
Coutinho who? Oxlade-Chamberlain impresses when it matters.
Not only were Liverpool impressive against Premier League leaders Manchester City, but it was all started by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who impressed on Klopp’s first game without the departed Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. A fantastic drilled finish into the bottom corner after a mazy run kicked off what was an amazing game followed by a wonderful splitting through ball for Roberto Firmino to run onto and chip the onrushing Ederson.
If this performance from Oxlade-Chamberlain is anything to go by, Jurgen Klopp will have no worries replacing Coutinho’s brilliance. With some fine tuning and regular game time under his belt, the Ox will be an ideal replacement for Brazillian playmaker.
His finest game in a Liverpool shirt so far.
Andrew Robertson’s classy and gutsy performance.
One of the finest full-back performances we’ve experienced this season. Andrew Robertson was a class above the rest, not only is he well known for his wonderful deliveries but this evidence against City, he was at his brilliant all round best. The pressing, interceptions, tackling most impressively having the in-form Raheem Sterling in his pocket represents a heroic performance when Liverpool needed it most. There was one instance in which the left-back ran the length of the pitch from his own position to press Nicholas Otamendi in City’s penalty area.
If this performance doesn’t adhere him to the Anfield faithful, I don’t know what will.
Simply Fantastic.
Manchester City unable to withstand the press.
Much was made of Manchester City’s unbeaten run and whether they can match Arsenal’s Invincibles but today, they were outplayed, out thought and outclassed as Liverpool ran them rugged from the first minute. The pressing was too much for Pep Guardiola’s side to handle. I lost of count of how many times City lost possession in their own half due to Liverpool’s aggression. If this is the way to match City then Liverpool have given the perfect example. They may win the title in the end, but if any of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham want to hamper their stride towards the Premier League crown, try take a leaf out of Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint.
Despite City’s late flurry, you would have thought once Klopp’s men raced into a two goal lead within 5 minutes that Liverpool always had this game in control. City were vulnerable throughout, has the unstoppable bully got blood on his nose?
City to push for Alexis Sanchez?
No doubt about it, Manchester City’s attack is one of the finest in Europe if not the world but their current pursuit of Arsenal’s wantaway superstar Alexis Sanchez just shows that Pep Guardiola believes his fantastic attack needs another dimension, and what a way to add to it if City do get their man.
However, according to reports, cross-city rivals Manchester United are confident of hijacking the deal to take Sanchez to Old Trafford. City are unwilling to pay the amount Arsenal want and would rather get him on the free in the summer once his contract expires. The threat of the Chilean instead heading to the red-half of Manchester may just get under Pep’s skin a little.
Why not pay over the odds for a world-class player wanting a fresh start elsewhere, and secure the Premier League title quicker than expected?
The Anfield Curse
City have now failed to win at Anfield in fourteen attempts dating back to 2003, a whole fifteen years ago. They may have been high and mighty all season so far but once they stepped in front of the Anfield crowd, it seemed as though they froze into their shells as Liverpool pressed and dominated from the first minute.
The Anfield curse has halted Manchester City once again.
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