Liverpool were lucky to come away with a point from the Etihad as an early Mohamed Salah penalty secured a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s men started strong early on and Sadio Mane reaped the rewards of the pressure built as he was brought down in the box. The penalty was converted with aplomb by Mohamed Salah. But, a case could be made for Ederson, who judged correctly but didn’t even leap to make an attempt to save the goal.
Manchester City, though, upped the ante and started toying around with the Liverpool backline. Kevin De Bruyne teed Raheem Sterling up beautifully in the box, only to be foiled by Alisson, who made himself big enough to close down the goal. Soon, though, De Bruyne found Gabriel Jesus, who walked on water with his turn and converted the chance into a goal and an equaliser for Manchester City.
Joe Gomez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but De Bruyne shot his penalty wide after being awarded the same through VAR intervention. The second half was all Manchester City, even though Liverpool came close to securing a winner through a Trent Alexander-Arnold effort that saw Ederson fumble before grabbing onto the ball.
All in all, a draw that Liverpool would have taken at the end of the match, given Manchester City’s dominance. Let us now take a look at how the individuals fared.
Alisson – 6.5
The save from Sterling in the first half was the hallmark of a great goalkeeper. However, Alisson’s distribution was a bit off on Sunday and he almost cost Liverpool a goal on one occasion. Needs to step up and be the leader at the back in van Dijk’s absence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Another defensive injury for Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold is forced off ?#MCILIV pic.twitter.com/AhGonvVQHw
— Goal (@goal) November 8, 2020
The Liverpool star is defensively a bit weak and that showed in the Manchester City equaliser. Gabriel Jesus caught Alexander-Arnold with his pants down with his turn in the build-up to the goal. Offensively, Alexander-Arnold did well whenever he had the opportunity. However, he is continuously being found out defensively against big teams and his injury scare will be a worry for Klopp, given how paper thin they are at the back currently.
Joel Matip – 5
Another one at fault in the Jesus goal, Matip was also caught on several occasions during the game, including a brilliant open heading chance from a sumptuous cross for Gabriel Jesus, who put it just wide. Just seemed unable to catch up to the pace of the game.
Joe Gomez – 4
Cannot be forgiven for the penalty he conceded, even though De Bruyne failed to convert it. Gomez was also found out by the Manchester City players on several occasions and he was lucky to only concede one on Sunday.
Andrew Robertson – 5.5
An awfully quiet game for Robertson, who spent most of his time defending his flank. Did go forward early on and was influential in earning Mane the penalty and Liverpool’s opener. However, didn’t do much apart from that.
Jordan Henderson – 5.5
The Liverpool midfield felt like sitting ducks on Sunday, with the double pivot being overrun continuously and consistently. Failed to provide the defensive cover necessary.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5.5
Same as Henderson, Wijnaldum was almost invisible on the pitch and continuously found himself on the backfoot against a world-class Manchester City midfield. Almost cost Liverpool a goal in the first-half as he gave the ball away to De Bruyne, who teed Sterling up inside the box, only for Alisson to save well. An unceremonious outing for the Dutch international.
Perhaps, the pressure got to him on this occasion.
Diogo Jota – 6
Was lively every now and then and came close to getting the winner as he attempted to pounce on the fumble from Ederson, only for the Brazilian to clutch the rebound swiftly into his gloves.
Roberto Firmino – 5.5
Roberto Firmino failed to produce a shot on target for the fifth Premier League game this season… and failed to create a chance for the fourth match this season.
And it’s the third time he’s produced 0 of both in the same game. ? pic.twitter.com/ZqZNmcVzQK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 8, 2020
Lacklustre once again and Klopp really has a problem at hand. The Brazilian seems bereft of confidence and the events surrounding him aren’t helping, with Jota continuously outperforming him. A switch to 4-3-3 and we could see Firmino lose his place in the starting eleven soon.
Sadio Mane – 7
Did well to get the penalty and was a nuisance throughout the game. Completed 3 dribbles, more than any other player on the pitch. Was the life of Liverpool’s attack against Manchester City on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah – 7
Converted the penalty and did well whenever he got some room and the ball. Could chalk this performance down to a lack of service and proper marking from the City defence. Still tried his best till the end.
Substitutes
Xherdan Shaqiri – 5
Brought on around the hour mark in place of Roberto Firmino, Shaqiri looked the same as the Brazilian – a player without confidence. Couldn’t influence proceedings and spent most of the time on the back foot as Manchester City searched for a winner.
James Milner – 6
Provided a better cover defensively than Alexander-Arnold and could be an option in certain games.
