Player ratings as Liverpool wipe the floor with Manchester City

Jeff Simon

Liverpool rained down the goals in full view of a thundering Anfield.

Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues lined up for war against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds as the footballing world waited to behold an entertaining display of orchestrated chaos.

Since taking charge of Barcelona in 2008, no manager has recorded more wins against Pep than Klopp with seven victories and today would serve to be no different.

Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City

Liverpool entered the match with a six-point lead on the back of 28-game unbeaten run. Klopp’s formidable side hadn’t lost at home in nearly three years. The match was as exciting and enthralling as it was billed up to be with the added pinch of VAR controversies to spice up affairs.

Manchester City has registered just one win at Anfield since 1981 – and that victory was 16 years ago.

Liverpool at Anfield:

✅ 15 wins in a row
✅ 23 games unbeaten in Europe
✅ One loss in 45 matches

Impregnable Fortress 💪 pic.twitter.com/V3BKcNINwe

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 10, 2019

Liverpool started the game unconvincingly but they looked dangerous going forward. City, however consistently found spaces and danger at set-pieces; the quality of their balls and the timing of their runs was spot on but they failed to punish Liverpool’s high line. Liverpool meanwhile, were ruthless with two chances on goal in the opening 13 minutes and two excellent goals to show for them. City certainly dominated areas of the pitch but they were demolished by a handful of scintillating moments from Liverpool.

After the opening moments, when Liverpool were struggling to emerge from their shell, their two goals enabled them to play with a swagger. Additionally, in 232 prior PL games at Anfield, Liverpool had never lost a game which they led by 2+ goals and so it proved to be today.

Even though they didn’t dominate the entire game, Klopp’s men made good use of their moments with the ball to punish the Citizens. Nearly everything from their one vs one duels, midfield battles, aerial battles, set-pieces, press and finishing were on point and nothing less than one would ask of a potential champion.

City certainly had their chances to score and Aguero, in particular, should have had at least a goal for his efforts. The Argentina international has now failed to score in 11 Anfield appearances and his 250th appearance for his club will be one to forget.

Victory leaves the Reds eight points ahead of second-placed Leicester City and nine points ahead of the reigning champs. If there was any game in which to make a bold statement to the spectating world – this was it. Liverpool dispatched their opponents with a stunning display heading into the international break and make no mistake – this title is firmly theirs to lose.

Here’s how we rated Liverpool players following their stirring victory against Man City:

Alisson – 7

Put himself under unnecessary pressure in the fourth minute off a pass from TAA. Didn’t have much to do in the first half and was called to make a smart save off Aguero in the 34th minute. Consistently showed alertness and awares in the face of City’s onslaught in the second half. No doubt, he will be incredibly miffed to have conceded a goal after the game was pretty much done and dusted.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 6

Had his work cut out trying to keep the left flank under wraps but did struggle on occasion against Angelino and Sterling’s trickery. Was perhaps fortunate to have not conceded at least one penalty after handling the ball once in either half. Did brilliantly in the buildup to Liverpool’s second goal with a peach of cross-field pass to Robertson who proceeded to assist Salah.

Dejan Lovren – 7.5

Doused a number of City fires in and around his penalty box but was left clueless by Aguero and Sterling on more than one occasion – thankfully for the Croatian, both City strikers had clearly forgotten their shooting boots on the night.

Virgil Van Dijk – 7.5

Read the game adeptly as we’ve come to expect from the colossus. Linked up brilliantly with Lovren to keep City’s rampant attack to just three shots on target.

Andrew Robertson – 8

Controlled a delicious pass from TAA before serving a delicious, goal sprouting assist for Salah who banged in Liverpool’s second. Best left-back in the world? Absolutely.

Fabinho – 8.5

Nicknamed the ‘Dyson’ by his teammates for his amazing ability to hoover up any danger and he did just that and more. Scored just his second Premier League goal with a screamer of an effort in the sixth minute to rattle City.

Jordan Henderson – 7

He became the sixth PL player to grab 250 PL appearances for the Reds in this game. Didn’t have the best of matches and often struggled against City’s midfield dynamism but still worked tirelessly to win back possession and stifle City’s counters. Produced a stunning assist for Mane in the 51st minute.

Georginio Wijnaldum- 8

Effervescent in the middle of the park. Consistently dribbled out of Man City harassing press with ease which is saying something. Worked hard to help cover for Robertson whenever the Scot marauded up the field and also did brilliantly to link up play in City’s final third.

Mohammed Salah – 7.5

Put his side in perfect control of the game by finishing off a lovely team move with a header. He’s now been involved in 52 goals in just 44 Anfield appearances – stunning.

Sadio Mane – 7

Had bright moments throughout the match but wasn’t his usual sparkling self in the first half. Had a brilliant opportunity to get one on one with the keeper after a sweet pass from Gini but ended up misplacing the ball. He improved in the second half and compounded City’s misery by grabbing his team’s third while scoring his 11th goal of the season. Almost certainly Liverpool’s MVP in the season so far.

Roberto Firmino – 6.5

Was involved in some delightful football on occasion but was very quiet in terms of offensive productivity and failed to produce anything of note. Had a decent shot in the 38th minute but Bravo was in the right place to save. He hasn’t scored at Anfield since March.

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