Sunday 10th November 2019- A game that was widely anticipated to be a match of controversy and talking points, and it duly delivered in that regard. I was looking forward to the match, seeing a clash for the title, two titans battling for their lives
City came into the game needing a win to narrow the gap to the league leaders to 3 points, where fans across the league were split on how the game was going to go. But it was evident within the first quarter of the match.
The blues started the game with an aggressive outlook, perhaps levelling to Liverpool’s level to shock them, but the surprise came in the 6th minute where after a seemingly dubious VAR decision was made, where Alexander-Arnold had made contact with the ball via his arm, the away side erupting with fury at the decision not going their way, a statement that is recurring for us this season. The lack of a call from the referee allowed them to counter through Sadio Mane on the left wing, where after being held up by Walker played it to Fabinho for a rocket of a strike to make it 1-0, appeals pouring in from Pep Guardiola and his men.
City were playing with evident desperation, unravelling to the benefit of Liverpool’s deadly counters. There was no comfort on the ball, no confidence, no gusto. Our usual flow was out the window, it seemed like we went back to Guardiola’s first introductory season by the lack of creativity and movement on/off the ball. There were no standout performances, where previously in defeat at least one person would stand out. One who was the opposite was Sergio Aguero. I adore Aguero, he is the City All-Time top goal scorer and certainly deserves more worldwide plaudits, but he was too linear in his positioning and assistance to the team; he either was making a half-hearted run, or standing still just on-side, not suiting the best methods against this Liverpool team.
Soon it was 2-0, Mo Salah heading in from within the 12-yard box after a looping cross from Robertson. The ball was in the air so long it seemed that at least one defender would deal with it, and Salah being the world-renowned header of the ball that he is could beat Bravo with ease, as Otamendi and Fernandinho were left gazing at the winger’s run into the box. Personally, I also believe that Bravo could have done better, being caught square on from the path of the ball, basically leaping as it was already past him (maybe Ederson would have saved it with his robotic senses, but also would have just sent it back out to Salah anyway).
The first half ended a sure 2-0, and it seemed a mountain to climb that was tricky, but our city side would turn it around with their world-class abilities.
They didn’t. 6 minutes into the second half Mane got a near post run that left the goal inevitable, partially because of the poor tracking of the man and Bravo’s shoddy goalkeeping. Unbelievable. At the end of the day, we will always be Manchester City, who love subverting expectation like it was an episode of Game of Thrones. A consolation through Bernardo Silva was a speck of hope in a game of realisation. In my opinion the title is wrapped up, where Liverpool’s ability to get a result even in a bad performance is a stark contrast to this City Side. This result sees City move to fourth, with Leicester City and Chelsea one point above the citizens, while Liverpool remain 8 points clear of the challengers.
Scoreboard Blog 