Match Report: City vs. Liverpool

It's Monday, a new week and an end to the last week. For a City fan last week it was one of the worst weeks to be a blue in the Sheikh Mansour era. Yes the side went undefeated in two games, but two draws against a mid table side and a team rock bottom of the Premier League is just not good enough if they are to be considered geniune title contenders. To top the week off City are now a man down because of the sale of one, Mario Balotelli to Italian giants AC Milan last Thursday. With only three Strikers to choose from, City must only hope and pray no one picks up a serious injury throughout the remainder of the season.

Mario Balotelli scoring last night on his debut for his new side

Shortly after the kick off, Liverpool dominated the possession from the off. With Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park it was clear that Liverpool's intentions were to give City minimal if no time on the ball. A tactic that needed to be adopted by Brendan Rodgers' men. Some strong Liverpool pressure was starting to tell but thankfully without any real conviction up front between Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

With City's only real chance in the first twenty minutes being a volley from David Silva that was pushed over the cross bar Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. That was until the twenty third minute when City won a throw in right on the edge of the Liverpool box. Some neat work between David Silva and Sergio Aguero resulted in James Milner breaking free from Glen Johnson down the left hand side before firing a low cross across the box for Edin Dzeko to tap into an empty net. One nil City.

Edin Dzeko finishing off a wonderful City move

Even before the goal it was becoming pretty evident that City were going to have to beat 12 men instead of the usual eleven. This was greatly displayed after a simple pass played into the feet of Edin Dzeko was almost received by the Bosnian until an on running Daniel Agger came through the back of the Bosnian striker only for the referee Anthony Taylor to allow play to continue. Dzeko remained on the floor requesting play to be stopped. However, with Liverpool players under no requirement to stop the play unless an injury had been to his head, some neat play resulted in Daniel Sturridge equalizing from twenty five yards out. There can be no question about it that the Liverpool players cannot be found guilty of any wrongdoing, however how Mr Taylor failed to see a foul in the challenge committed by Daniel Agger none of us will know.

Play pretty much continued in much of the same vein in the second half. Liverpool dominating and controlling the game, closing down every move whilst a City side clearly lacking leadership were unable to deal with the Liverpool midfield. David Silva was man marked by Liverpool's Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas all match and was showing signs of frustration throughout the game. Barely able to string a pass together it was no real surprise when Steven Gerrard put Liverpool back in front with seventeen minutes remaining in the match. A cross from the right hand side of the field was tamely headed clear by City left back/one of three eventual centre halves Gael Clichy only to fall into the path of Gerrard before the Englishman struck a wonderful dipping volley past Joe Hart in the Manchester City net.

The lead didn't last too long and City scored a goal from almost nothing. A long ball over the top aimed for the feet of tallisman Sergio Aguero looked misplaced and sloppy yet again by City. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina had come to the edge of the box to try and claim the ball before Aguero somehow managed to poke it past the Spaniard only to curl a shot into the corner from an almost impossible angle to level the game up. Moments of genius like this proof to me why he is the best in the league for his natural ability.

The game eventually drew to a close twelve minutes later with Liverpool doing all the pressing. With Yaya Toure back next week for City's trip to Southampton maybe the side might show more passion, conviction and finally be able to find that killer past to link the midfield and strikers together, unless these three elements are met, City will find it practically impossible to retain their crown. From a neutral prospective, you truly witnessed an incredible game of end to end attacking football.

Gerrard's volley to put Liverpool ahead in the contest

Player Ratings: 

Joe Hart - 5

Very disorganized in the City goal yesterday. Complete lack of communication with his defense but could do simply nothing about the two strikes that beat him.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7

Mr consistency for City and no doubt our player of  the year. Hapless performance but was unable to get forward yesterday due to the constant Liverpool pressure.

Majita Nastasic- 6.5

Not a bad game as the young Serbian returned from a hamstring injury. Showed at times his inexperience by allowing Sturridge to run off him but generally a good performance.

Joleon Lescott - 6

Didn't do much wrong but his ball control skills and leadership are both level par horrible. He kept Luis Suarez quiet and frustrated but gave the ball away too much.

Gael Clichy - 7

Not much to do in the game. Solid down the right hand side but really needs to work on his final ball when he is in a more attacking role.

Javi Garcia - 7.5

The ever improving Javi Garcia no doubt. Continuing to gain applause for his game control at times. Super passing and finally showing some brilliant tackles and commitment. We are really starting to see why City paid so much for him.

Gareth  Barry - 8

One thing about Gareth Barry. Whenever he has a bad game he always comes out of the next game with a near man of the match performance. Solid yesterday and no question City's star player.

David Silva - 5

His worst performance in a City shirt for quiet some while. Not solely down to him as he was brilliantly marked out of the game by Lucas, however when he did have the ball he was sloppy in possession and showed no real desire to get forward.

James Milner - 7

Pretty solid performance from Milner. Desperately tried to get City going forward but was stopped through lack of support of lazy runs into the box from Dzeko at times. Linesman didn't help his cause either.

Edin Dzeko - 5.5

Finished off a great move for City's first goal but was as good as anonymous yesterday. No contribution to the team only for the goal. More needed against bigger opposition.

Sergio Aguero - 7.5

The only player that looked a threat to the Liverpool side going forward. Flawless again but certainly lacking support despite his mesmeric moments at times.



Hero of the Day: Daniel Sturridge. Superb throughout the game and nearly won the game for his side. Makes it more difficult to strongly dislike him after he failed to celebrate Liverpool's equalizing goal.


Villian of the Day: David Silva. Completely out of the game throughout and was totally ineffective.