Manchester Metropolis put in one other lifeless exhibiting as they have been simply overwhelmed 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 danger of one other heavy defeat, though Metropolis began the higher of the groups, making use of strain and getting away the one shot on course of the primary ten minutes by way of false 9 Phil Foden.
However acquainted issues started cropping up for the Blues as they gave up probabilities 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 by way of a deflection off Nathan Ake.
The sport settled right into a calmer sample for some time, almost livening up on half an hour when Omar Marmoush hit a terrific end from a good angle previous Alisson, however was denied the equaliser by the offside flag.
Liverpool didn’t even must look significantly threatening to chop by way of and rating once more although, Salah simply holding off Josko Gvardiol and discover the totally unmarked Szoboszlai, who shot by way of the legs of Khusanov and wrong-footed the blinded Ederson for 0-2.
Factor have been no completely 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 aim into their web.
Metropolis have been at the very least initially buoyed by the reprieve, Marmoush popping up with one other angled drive which Alisson was required to tip away, however Liverpool have 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 have been nonetheless being supplied probabilities to attain – a mix-up between substitutes Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic allowed Salah in once more, and solely the retreating Khusanov’s sort out stopped Szoboszlai scoring his second.
Metropolis stay fourth within the Premier League due to slip-ups from Bournemouth and Chelsea this weekend, however extra toothless shows like this can 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 Scores
Beginning XI
Ederson – 5
Left stranded on each Liverpool targets, though might possibly have been anticipated to at the very least transfer in the direction of the second. One or two respectable 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 important interventions on Salah and Diaz within the opening moments, however was powerless because the construction crumbled round him. In all probability Metropolis’s greatest defender this afternoon.
Nathan Ake – 5
Had an early tangle with Salah during which he got here off second greatest, and deflected within the opener, albeit unluckily. Typically left frantically chasing again as Liverpool reduce by way of repeatedly.
Josko Gvardiol – 5
By no means disgraced towards Salah however not often comfy both. Utilized some stylish 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 towards Madrid.
Kevin de Bruyne – 4
Doesn’t look good for him. These have been the events during which his marvellous popularity was cast, however these previous moments of magic appear to be past him nowadays. First rate sufficient offering management from deep, however little or no creativity.
Savinho – 6.5
The brightest spark in assault, making essentially the most constantly good selections. Ran exhausting within the press and monitoring again too.
Phil Foden – 4
As with de Bruyne, he’s determined video games like this by himself prior to now, so to see him diminished to bounce passes and hopeless photographs from miles out is worrying to say the least.
Omar Marmoush – 5
Prepared to strive issues however didn’t have a lot pleasure. Deliveries weren’t the very best, significantly a sequence of very disappointing corners.
Jeremy Doku – 5.5
The everlasting Doku conundrum – how a lot reward can you actually give him for his wonderful dribbling expertise when he not often ever has the top product to do one thing significant after he’s overwhelmed his man?
Substitutes
James McAtee – 5
Hardly ever capable of affect issues.
Ruben Dias – 5
Almost induced 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.