Liverpool 4-3 Manchester City: City Loses For The First Time In EPL This Season
SteemSports Presenter:@writingamigo
SteemSports Editor:@theprophet0
What a lovely day to be a fan of Liverpool, right? Even though Coutinho has said goodbye to the team and went to the sunny Barcelona, Liverpool looks as strong as ever this season. We all anticipated that something huge would happen in Anfield, but to expect 7 goals and such a beautiful attacking football... well, let's just say Liverpool-Man City game is the reason why we all like football.
Liverpool started the game with one idea in their mind - to score an early goal. And Liverpool executed the plan perfectly after Oxlade-Chamberlain launched a rocket from outside of goalkeeper area to open the score-sheet on the 9th minute. We could blame Man City defense for the goal because defenders were not fast enough to stop Ox, but let's not - it was a decent goal of the skilled midfielder. However, we must give the credit to Jurgen Klopp as well as it was clear from the first minute that he has prepared an excellent plan against Guardiola's Man City team.
Wijnaldum, Ox, and Can were brilliant in the middle today and made sure to put a lot of pressure on City's defense. Most of the teams parked the bus while playing against City (even Man United) but Liverpool said 'Fu*k it' and decided to control the situation. And it was clear that Man City was not prepared for that. Especially the defenders, who made so many mistakes from the first minute of the game. So, Liverpool kept pushing forward, trying to increase the lead before the half-time. On top of that, Man City's main left back Delph had to be substituted because of an injury. However, things did not work out the way Liverpool fans anticipated, and Sane equalized just before the half-time. Sane sent the ball to the part of the goal which Karius had to defend... but Karius did not. This goal was just another nail in Liverpool goalkeepers' coffin. With all the money Liverpool has now from Coutinho, it would be a shame not to buy a decent goalkeeper who would protect the goal with dignity and confidence.
Anyway, Liverpool came back to the game with even more energy after the halftime, and it was clear that the draw was not enough for Jurgen Klopp. All the pressure eventually paid off when Firmino caught an excellent pass from Ox, got rid of the defender and sent the ball into the goal. 2-1.
Most of the teams would just give the ball to Man City and try to protect the lead, but that's not what Liverpool does. Liverpool continued pushing. 2 minutes after Firmino's goal, Otamendi made a huge mistake in the middle, lost the ball, and Liverpool made sure to use this opportunity. Salah passed to Mane, who sent the ball to the upper left corner, leaving no chances to Ederson. 3-1. But Liverpool wanted more. 7 minutes after the goal, in the 68th minute, Ederson tried to clear the ball out of his area but ended up kicking it straight to Salah's feet. Salah evaluated the situation skillfully and kicked the ball to an empty net, making the score 4-1.
Liverpool still tried to push even further to score that 5th goal, but the energy was not there anymore. It looked like Jurgen Klopp, and all the players felt that they won the game and just tried to wait for the remaining 20 minutes. However, Manchester City has had 20-2-0 record for a reason this season. Guardiola's players did not want to give up just yet, and Bernardo Silva scored in the 84th minute. Gundogan added on more in the 91st minute. 4-3. As Liverpool's fan, I can tell that it really felt that we might see something similar to Sevilla or Arsenal. Yes, Liverpool is way too good at chocking. Gladly for Liverpool fans, today Liverpool managed to keep the lead, and the game ended 4-3.
It was the first Manchester City loss this season in Premier League. Yes, City won't repeat Arsenal's golden season, but that doesn't change the fact that City will probably win the title. Manchester United has a chance to cut the lead to 12 now. Liverpool is 15 points behind. I believe that all the top teams (MU, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal) know that the title race is over and the first priority is to finish in top 4 this season. And Liverpool made a huge step toward that top 4. At the moment, Liverpool is in the 3-4th place alongside with struggling Chelsea. I believe that Liverpool might soon surpass Manchester United as well as Klopp's team is only 3 (if MU beats Stoke) points below.
This game sums up liverpool, they have an exciting array of attacking players but always vulnerable at the back, this is probably why they struggle against the top teams.
If Liverpool do fail to live up to their objectives at the end of this season, it is not going to be because of the loss of Philipe Coutinho, I know there are a lot of people already looking to pin it all on that sale.
I also want to congratulate you and Liverpool I just watched that game. The game was woderfull
great analysis, liverpool deserved to win this time, they gave it their all
great news, Liverpool is my favorite team.
This Liverpool side is extremely entertaining to watch. What a game!
Man City played arguably their worst half of soccer and it showed in the final score. 62% possession and a loss. No Good. Passing which is usually on point was a step off. Oh well, if only Liverpool could play them five more times and beat them all five times then they would be tied at the top of the table!