Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Player ratings as title rivals share spoils at Anfield
In what will surely be the last Premier League duel between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, their two sides produced a vintage encounter in which Liverpool dominated.
The Reds fell behind through a smart John Stones finish midway through the first half, but an Alexis Mac Allister penalty just after half-time drew the Reds level. The hosts spurned chance after chance thereafter and were forced to settle for a point which means Arsenal end the weekend at the top of the table.
How the game unfolded
Significant team news arrived an hour before the seismic encounter got underway, with Mohamed Salah only being deemed fit enough for the bench. Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, was absent from the squad which saw young Jarell Quansah start alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Pep Guardiola, who opted to drop Ruben Dias to the bench, would have been thrilled with his side’s start as City’s composed possession and slick transition work allowed them to tame Anfield in the opening ten minutes.
It doesn’t take much for Liverpool’s cauldron to burst into life, however, and a series of successful pressing sequences brought the hosts into the contest. Just when Liverpool were developing into the bout, though, City struck from a genius set-piece routine as Stones squeezed home Kevin De Bruyne’s corner at the near post.
The remainder of the first half saw chances arrive at both ends amid an end-to-end duel. City aimed to draw Liverpool out before springing in transition, while the Reds, who weren’t deterred by their deficit, came close via Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz. Kyle Walker should have found De Bruyne at the back post with his cross just before half-time.
While Guardiola would have been content with his side’s start to the first half, City could not have opened the second period worse as a short Nathan Ake back pass led to Ederson, who injured himself in the process, taking out Darwin Nunez inside the box. Alexis Mac Allister duly converted from 12 yards to restore parity.
Anfield rocked in the aftermath with City completely dishevelled. Liverpool seemed to create chances at will as Salah entered the fray, teeing up Diaz for an golden opening just after the hour.
Thus, the game was on a knife-edge heading into its epilogue with Jeremy Doku emerging as the protagonist. After crashing the post at one end, the Belgian was perhaps fortunate to get away with a challenge on Mac Allister in the City box at the death.
Liverpool player ratings (4-3-3)
Liverpool restored parity swiftly after half-time / Michael Regan/GettyImages
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 6/10 – Beaten by Stones at the near post but made a big stop to deny Phil Foden at 1-1.
RB: Conor Bradley – 6/10 – The young full-back was full of energy down the right but perhaps should have done more with his moments in the final third.
CB: Jarell Quansah – 7/10 – The 21-year-old had big boots to fill in Konate’s absence, but Quansah did a fine job despite the odd possession mishap.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 8/10 – Van Dijk produced at least three standout defensive moments in the first half which likely prevented City goals.
LB: Joe Gomez – 6/10 – Gomez has enjoyed his time on the left flank this season, but this was an awkward display with and without the ball. Improved at right-back.
CM: Wataru Endo – 8/10 – Liverpool’s unassuming star was superb yet again. He set the tone with his counter-pressing in midfield, rarely losing a duel.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10 – Mac Allister loves playing with Endo and the pair combined in a Guardiola pivot-like fashion at times. Took his penalty superbly.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 5/10 – The powerful midfielder should have done better with a first-half header and was often wasteful with possession in good positions.
RW: Harvey Elliott – 7/10 – Crafty as ever. Elliott drifted in and out of the contest, but rarely wasted a touch and was excellent out of possession.
ST: Darwin Nunez – 6/10 – Darwin’s offside woes reared their ugly head on Sunday afternoon, but he did have a hand in Liverpool’s equaliser before creating a gilt-edged chance for Diaz.
LW: Luis Diaz – 7/10 – Terribly wasteful but did not stop running and was a thorn in the City backline throughout the contest.
Substitutes
SUB: Mohamed Salah (61 for Szoboszlai) – 5/10
SUB: Andy Robertson (61′ for Bradley) – 7/10
SUB: Cody Gakpo (76′ for Nunez) – 6/10
Subs not used: Adrian (GK), Kostas Tsimikas, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Amara Nallo, Lewis Koumas.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 8/10 – It’s just remarkable what he’s getting out this squad. Liverpool’s starting XI was considerably inferior, but they went toe-to-toe with City and were far superior after drawing level.
Man City player ratings (4-1-4-1)
Stones celebrates his opener at Anfield / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages
GK: Ederson – 4/10 – Certainly wasn’t helped by Ake, but Ederson’s challenge on Darwin was reckless and he was forced off soon after.
RB: Kyle Walker – 6/10 – Was keen to set the tone in the opening exchanges with a couple of strong tackles. Recovery pace did wonders, but struggled one-v-one against Diaz.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 7/10 – Felt quite isolated in the backline at times, but his recovery pace did come in handy against Nunez.
CB: John Stones – 8/10 – It’s just silly what this bloke is doing in his hybrid function. After scoring and starring in the first half, it was tougher for Stones to have an influence after the restart.
LB: Nathan Ake – 5/10 – Terrible back pass set the tone for a tough City second half. Performed well otherwise, but his error was costly.
CM: Rodri – 6/10 – So often the man who steps up on the big occasion, but this was not a vintage Rodri showing despite his occasional sequence of subtle magic.
RM: Phil Foden – 7/10 – Majestic in the first half as he constantly unlocked the visitors in transition. Quieter in the second half as Liverpool dominated.
AM: Bernardo Silva – 4/10 – Bernardo has dazzled at Anfield in the past, but this was a performance that contrasted his usual serenity. Lost his head at the start of the second half.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – 6/10 – Produced a genius cross for the opener and always looked a threat before his withdrawal. Was perhaps a little more wasteful than usual in the final third with his decision-making poor early on.
LM: Julian Alvarez – 5/10 – Started brightly, but was not a natural fit down the touchline. Lost his assignment several times defensively.
ST: Erling Haaland – 6/10 – There was no Anfield takeover for Haaland on Sunday. The City hitman was denied by Van Dijk once or twice and certainly left frustrated by his side’s performance after half-time. Thought his link-up play was pretty good.
Substitutes
SUB: Stefan Ortega (55′ for Ederson) – 6/10
SUB: Mateo Kovacic (69′ for De Bruyne) – 6/10
SUB: Jeremy Doku (69′ for Alvarez) – 6/10
Subs not used: Ruben Dias, Sergio Gomez, Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis.
Manager: Pep Guardiola – 5/10 – After starting so brightly, City faded pretty quickly at Anfield. They were almost too casual, allowing the game to drift after taking the lead. Guardiola could do little to stop Liverpool’s second-half momentum, and his changes did come at a cost.
Player of the match: Wataru Endo (Liverpool)
Source: 90mins
