Manchester Metropolis put in one other lifeless exhibiting as they had been simply crushed by Premier League leaders Liverpool this afternoon.
One other horrible first-half efficiency from Pep Guardiola’s males had them 0-2 down after Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai uncovered the defensive fragility which has been on show for a lot of this season.
The Reds noticed out their benefit with ease within the second-half, that means they collected their first Premier League win on the Etihad Stadium of the Guardiola period and accomplished a uncommon league double over the departing champions.
Wednesday’s tame Champions League exit would have left many eyeing up this assembly with the runaway league leaders as a threat of one other heavy defeat, though Metropolis began the higher of the groups, making use of stress and getting away the one shot on track of the primary ten minutes via false 9 Phil Foden.
However acquainted issues started cropping up for the Blues as they gave up possibilities in their very own half and, after Abdukodir Khusanov needed to scramble one out for a nook after Rico Lewis’ giveaway, a well-worked set-piece allowed Salah to attain through a deflection off Nathan Ake.
The sport settled right into a calmer sample for some time, practically livening up on half an hour when Omar Marmoush hit a terrific end from a decent angle previous Alisson, however was denied the equaliser by the offside flag.
Liverpool didn’t even have to look significantly threatening to chop via and rating once more although, Salah simply holding off Josko Gvardiol and discover the completely unmarked Szoboszlai, who shot via the legs of Khusanov and wrong-footed the blinded Ederson for 0-2.
Factor had been no totally different within the second interval; Szoboszlai walked, walked in behind the Metropolis backline to ease it onto a plate for Curtis Jones, and solely a VAR test deeming the Hungarian to be offside spared the Blues a 3rd purpose into their web.
Metropolis had been at the least initially buoyed by the reprieve, Marmoush popping up with one other angled drive which Alisson was required to tip away, however Liverpool had been once more harmful as Diaz rampaged on transition and compelled Ederson right into a sprawling cease.
Liverpool weren’t even actually making an attempt to interrupt Metropolis down anymore, they usually had been nonetheless being provided possibilities to attain – a mix-up between substitutes Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic allowed Salah in once more, and solely the retreating Khusanov’s deal with stopped Szoboszlai scoring his second.
Metropolis stay fourth within the Premier League because of slip-ups from Bournemouth and Chelsea this weekend, however extra toothless shows like it will have Pep Guardiola’s males scrambling to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League.
Right here’s how we rated the Manchester Metropolis gamers of their drab defeat to Liverpool!
Participant Rankings
Beginning XI
Ederson – 5
Left stranded on each Liverpool targets, though might possibly have been anticipated to at the least transfer in the direction of the second. One or two first rate saves in any other case.
Rico Lewis – 4.5
Largely not horrible in his possession work, however made a few sloppy giveaways, most notably forward of the nook which led to the opener.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 6
Two very important interventions on Salah and Diaz within the opening moments, however was powerless because the construction crumbled round him. In all probability Metropolis’s finest defender this afternoon.
Nathan Ake – 5
Had an early tangle with Salah by which he got here off second finest, and deflected within the opener, albeit unluckily. Typically left frantically chasing again as Liverpool lower via repeatedly.
Josko Gvardiol – 5
By no means disgraced in opposition to Salah however not often comfy both. Utilized some elegant touches within the ultimate third however equally misplaced focus on the ball at instances.
Nico – 6
Struggled to anchor issues defensively roughly by himself, however was much more comfy controlling issues from deep than he was in opposition to Madrid.
Kevin de Bruyne – 4
Doesn’t look good for him. These had been the events by which his marvellous status was cast, however these previous moments of magic appear to be past him as of late. First rate sufficient offering management from deep, however little or no creativity.
Savinho – 6.5
The brightest spark in assault, making probably the most constantly good selections. Ran onerous within the press and monitoring again too.
Phil Foden – 4
As with de Bruyne, he’s determined video games like this by himself up to now, so to see him diminished to bounce passes and hopeless pictures from miles out is worrying to say the least.
Omar Marmoush – 5
Keen to attempt issues however didn’t have a lot pleasure. Deliveries weren’t the very best, significantly a collection of very disappointing corners.
Jeremy Doku – 5.5
The everlasting Doku conundrum – how a lot reward can you actually give him for his superb dribbling expertise when he not often ever has the top product to do one thing significant after he’s crushed his man?
Substitutes
James McAtee – 5
Hardly ever in a position to affect issues.
Ruben Dias – 5
Practically brought on a calamity with a defensive mix-up.
Mateo Kovacic – 5
The opposite celebration in what was the ultimate, however actually not solely, gaff on the again for the Blues.
Ilkay Gundogan – 5.5
Knitted play as Liverpool stood off and allowed Metropolis to play out their defeat.
