Last night produced a painful result in Liverpool’s tainted title defence this season, with them losing 4-1 to Manchester City at Anfield, making it three losses in a row at home since losing our 68 game unbeaten run.
The game started well for both sides despite the play being slow, with Liverpool gradually easing into the game after City started on top – with the Reds getting the best chances of the first half before Ilkay Gundogan fired his penalty over the bar and failed to take the lead for Pep Guardiola’s side.
It seemed as though Liverpool would be able to get a foothold in the game after the first-half with it seeming an even contest, but Klopp’s side managing some progressive and positive attacking football at times before halftime.
Sadly for the Reds, the second half didn’t quite carry on the way they had hoped with City taking the lead through Gundogan just four minutes in with him making up for his missed penalty with a rebounded shot off of Phil Foden’s great work on the ball with his effort being saved by Alisson, sadly for the Brazilian, the German midfielder was fastest to react.
Liverpool did manage to equalise through a Mo Salah penalty after Ruben Dias brought the Egyptian down in the area. It didn’t last long though as the collapse from the Liverpool side started rapidly after that, with Alisson making some big errors that led to Foden again getting on the ball with him supplying Gundogan once again with a ball across the box for him to slot the ball away into an open goal.
Are Liverpool out of the title race?
Yes
No
I think that after the initial mistake, Alisson’s confidence was all but gone with him again making another error that led to Raheem Sterling getting in on the act – and it just showed the state that the Reds are currently in right now with results and the football just failing to provide progress for Klopp.
To add more misery to the madness youngster Foden really put a stamp on the game scoring the fourth and final goal for City with a brilliant solo effort that smashed through the hands of Alisson to round off the poor performance from the Reds.
It was a real lesson for Liverpool that they won’t simply be able to get a few results behind them such as our wins against Tottenham and West Ham to be able to get our season back on track – it is clear that results are not forming and the confidence in the squad is clearly low and they will know that – I don’t doubt that Klopp and his team know they aren’t performing to the levels they should be. Now is a time to rebuild and get behind the team ahead of a tough game against Leicester.
Hopefully, our two new centre-backs will be up to scratch over this week with the Reds getting a good week to take some time away on the training field and turn their focus to ensure a top-four finish.
What do you think Liverpool fans, were you frustrated with the result? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…