Manchester City 4 – 1 Liverpool – PL Player Ratings
Alisson Becker – 5.0
An unsure day of goalkeeping for the giant Brazilian, though he was once again let down by a plethora of inept players ahead of him. He remains the reds best player this season.
Trent Alexander Arnold – 3.0
A poor defensive showing, with so must insecurities in his work. His passing and touch were crisp enough, it was just a case of being unable to carry out his basic duties. The fact that Jack Grealish was man of the match summed up that area of the pitch. The system must change to extract the best of Trent, as the player can can’t adjust when he is asked to be an out and out defender.
Andy Robertson – 3.0
A another weak and unsure performance. When he’s isn’t delivering balls into the box, he is a reliable defender. The problem is, he’s currently unable to do either and today was another example as to why we have been looking at left sided defenders.
Subbed – 69 mins
Ibrahima Konaté – 5.0
Perhaps the best of a bad defensive bunch. The badly structured team was swarmed upon as soon as City woke up, with even Ibou unable to cope with the movement of a brilliant side. Would have loved a Haaland sized dual instead of being pulled out by technicians.
Virgil van Dijk – 4.0
A strange and uncharacteristic season for the big man. We know his level and we know how good he is, but the system around him is something he can no longer control or excel within. Again, the movement was something he couldn’t adjust to. I don’t know, this just isn’t Virgil.
Jordan Henderson – 3.0
So bad in this game, that he continues to be a passenger in so many matches. Unable to do anything on or off the ball, with another strange decision to keep him on the pitch until the final bell. Trying now and again (when it suits) isn’t enough for a Liverpool captain.
Fabinho – 5.0
A shadow of his former destructive self, though did his best to try and be a distraction to the superior midfield. His partners in crime were given the runaround, as City did as they pleased for much of the game. A few good moments elevate him to this score, which might be generous, I don’t know.
Harvey Elliott – 4.0
The effort was there (again), though he simply is not a central midfielder. The system tried to adapt for him to play a little wider, yet we need players that suit the system or the system will continue to fail.
Subbed – 69 mins
Diogo Jota – 3.0
Was a key part of the goal, yet did very little else. He isn’t the player from that first season and if Newcastle are willing to pay £70m, then it should happen. Couldn’t get into the game, with another showing of how unfamiliar our forward line is.
Subbed – 69 mins
Mohamed Salah – 5.0
A beautiful goal and showed the desire to impact the game. We became somewhat predictable, which undermined the talents of Mo. He was probably the bright spark within a poor side and was withdrawn to ensure he is ready for what comes next.
Subbed – 69 mins
Cody Gakpo – 4.0
A game of moments that nearly came off. He looks so neat and tidy without ever achieving too much. His role was to help the middle ground whilst creating space through the central zones. Neither worked great.m, but I’m he’s still new.
Subbed – 82 mins
Subs;
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – 2.0 (on 69)
Came on to add something, I’m unsure what.
Roberto Firmino – 2.0 (on 69)
Couldn’t impact the game as was needed.
Darwin Nunez – 2.0 (on 69)
The game was already gone. Must start the next raft of game.
Kostas Tsimikas – 3.0 (on 6.9)
As good as the man he replaced.
James Milner – N/A (on 90)
The Manager;
Jürgen Klopp – 2.0
This was horrible, despite the early ambition and opening goal.
We have a manager that is trying to replicate the ideals that brought success, with a group of players that cannot compete or carry out the duties that are needed.
As soon as I saw Darwin was not starting, the three goals I thought we would concede automatically became four.
This is the worst showing of Jürgen Klopp since his last season at Dortmund, which is slowing becoming an ominous sign.
Pep and his team showed everything they currently are and everything we may never become again. The community shield victory seems a very long time ago, as this iteration of the reds is woeful and passive.
The 4-2-3-1 made sense, until his players gave up the fight. This could be a very long Easter period.
Pre-match Prediction;
Manchester City 3 – 1 Liverpool
Steven Smith
