Liverpool 1–0 Man City: Salah seizes the day as Klopp outwits Guardiola
Liverpool were able to snatch their third win of the Premier League season and it must be felt that Pep’s set up was detrimental to his sides chances
Despite English football’s biggest fixture over the last few years having a slightly different tone this season, this was another enthralling instalment of this titanic Liverpool-City saga, as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds proved their ship isn’t sunk just yet.
Liverpool have struggled massively this term since claiming the Community Shield in July against today’s opponents. City, on the other hand have largely breezed through the opening weeks, finding themselves second only to Arsenal in the standings as Erling Haaland has emphatically answered any questions about his ability to transition to a new league week on week.
In the opening stages, Liverpool played with an ease they’ve lacked this season, a slightly different, more direct approach seemed to take the weight off Gomez and Van Dijk’s shoulders; they no longer needed to constantly thread delicate passes around pressing opponents, feeling free instead to smack it into orbit. Thiago sat in the middle with Fabinho and controlled the Reds’ play magnificently.
Liverpool had the better of the first half; the biggest chance fell to Andrew Robertson, who blazed over in the 24th minute. The play began with Van Dijk launching a trademark raking ball over to Salah, who found Harvey Elliott, his cross was deflected by Ederson into the Scotsman’s path, but he lacked composure. City, nonetheless, created a couple of half chances; De Bruyne was occasionally able to find a bit of space and Haaland is never not dangerous, their chances often fizzled though. Alisson remained fairly untroubled.
This half would undoubtedly please Klopp more than Guardiola, given the notable absences of Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté; the German’s makeshift side fared well, utilising a lively Anfield crowd to unnerve their adversaries.
Less than 5 minutes into the second half, another huge chance fell Liverpool’s way, to the man on the field you’d most want in that situation. Mo Salah was played through by Firmino and only on the replay could it be seen that Ederson had made a wonderful save, the Egyptian’s effort was perfect. Moments later, City had the ball in the net, but replays showed a couple of fouls by Haaland in the buildup, Anthony Taylor disallowed the goal.
In the 76th minute, Mo Salah was played through again by another Brazilian teammate, this time it was Alisson; who, after claiming a cross, scanned the pitch ahead of him and identified he was looming near the last man Cancelo. The launched pass was perfect and matched by the control, Salah swivelled and spun Cancelo, bringing the ball under his spell before dispatching past Ederson, Anfield erupted.
Unsurprisingly, City pressure followed. Darwin Nunez was able to carve out a few chances on the counter after being introduced, but his decision making was abject, the Uruguayan enigma will come good, but he still looks extremely raw in most of his involvements.
Klopp was sent off in the 86th minute for lambasting the linesman, who, in addition to the referee, missed a blatant and intentional foul by Bernardo Silva, who had cynically dragged Salah down on the touchline before springing a counterattack as the Liverpool man was left floored.
Liverpool coped as the game went well over added time, the outstanding Diogo Jota was stretchered off with seconds left, a shadow on an otherwise glistening day for Liverpool.
Guardiola will have much to ponder. He was outthought by Klopp, and has no excuses for defeat in charge of a team that is limited by neither imagination or ability. It was surprising to see Liverpool create chances in more abundance and quality. The obvious weakness was Liverpool’s right side, with James Milner at Right-Back and Joe Gomez 3rd choice for his position. It was therefore so bizarre that Pep elected to play Aké at Left-Back and switched Cancelo to the right, Milner and Gomez were able to shine and Cancelo was at fault for the decisive goal. Perhaps today’s events serve as yet another indication as to why this team has failed to win the Champion’s League; Pep has a habit of overcomplicating things and the team often flounders under pressurised atmospheres.
In a season littered with disappointments, Liverpool seized the day and made a statement that they are nowhere near finished under Klopp. The title may not be heading back to Anfield this season, but days like this remind us of the extraordinary heights Jurgen Klopp’s team are capable of reaching.
