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Liverpool blitzed through their match against Manchester City at the Etihad leaving the hosts stunned with three goals within 33 minutes thanks to the immense combination of the two Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. While City pulled one back with a stunning goal from Sergio Aguero from 20 yards, it wasn’t enough as Manuel Pellegrini’s side fell to a Jurgen Klopp led team again.
Here are the player ratings from the game:
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7
Joe Hart was undoubtedly the best City player in the match. He was the one who ensured that Liverpool didn’t get to 6-7 goals. He not only saved the team from embarrassment and humiliation but seemed like the only player in the City shirt who was putting up a fight.
Bacary Sagna – 5.5
Sagna looked like a broken man throughout. Before Liverpool’s second goal, Sagna was put under pressure by Coutinho which was enough to force the defender to concede possession and directly led to the Brazilian’s goal.
Eliaquim Mangala – 5
It wasn’t an ideal start of the match for Manchester City or Mangala as he scored the first goal for Liverpool when he turned in Roberto Firmino’s cross into his own net.Ironically, it was his first goal for the Sky Blues, albeit at the wrong end.
Martin Demichelis – 5
Demichelis looked like someone who barely plays football. His partnership with Mangala was questioned and he was also criticized for having turned his back on Skrtel and not being braver. His partnership with Mangala turned out to be a nightmare as it directly led to the team’s downfall.
Aleksander Kolarov – 5.5
Liverpool’s utter domination, especially in the first half, was enough to show how weak City’s defenders were. Kolarov was another City defender who had a disappointing game. The only thing that could come close to a compensation for his poor performance and the goals conceded was his assist.
Yaya Toure – 6
Toure is a very good player, but in this match, he just seemed overrun. And it was worse because he was captain in Kompany’s absence. The passes would not go for him and his laboured running against an active Liverpool midfield proved to be his undoing.
Fernando – 6
City looked stronger with Fernandinho and Fernando behind Toure so changing that shape was bad decision for them. Fernando was left exposed many times and he put on quite a poor performance as a result.
Jesus Navas – 6
Another City player who did not have a good match, he was hardly spotted in the game as Liverpool ran the Citizen’s ragged. He was replaced by Delph at half-time.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7
De Bruyne was the other player to have played well along with Joe Hart. He was superb throughout and showed why City paid the money that they did for him. The amount of running he did and a couple of close crosses from him were quite admirable.
Raheem Sterling – 6
It wasn’t supposed to be an easy task for Raheem Sterling as he lined up against Liverpool for the first time since he left them this summer. He had a good battle with James Milner in midfield and along with the travelling Kop which sang songs directed towards him. However, he looked quite average despite attempting a few shots.
Sergio Aguero – 7
Aguero was one of the three best players for City. He proved that class is permanent with his spectacular goal in the 44th minute from the edge of the box, giving his team a lifeline. City came back stronger in the second half thanks to Aguero’s goal, but he was substituted after 60 minutes.
Substitutes
Delph – 6
Delph came on for Jesus Navas at the break. For the 30 minutes he was there, he ran his socks off and was one of the better players out there. He contributed with few positives in what seemed like an appalling performance by City.
Fernandinho – 6
Came on for Yaya Toure and did quite well alongside Delph. He proved that he should be starting instead of Toure. He posed some worry for Liverpool and showed how good a player he can be. Based on his performance after coming on, not starting him was confusing, regardless of international travel.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 6.5
Didn’t have much of an impact after coming on for Aguero in the 67th minute.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 7.5
Mignolet could have done better but he made a fabulous save which nobody expected due to a Milner error to deny Sergio Aguero. However, the negatives are that his kicking was poor, and often put the team on the back foot.
Nathaniel Clyne – 8
He initially needed to be quicker but eventually got better. He showed he’s a modern day right back who goes forward well. He had Raheem Sterling in his back pocket as he completely dominated him. He proved why he was such a solid signing and often plays like he’s been at the club for years.
Martin Skrtel – 8.5
Not only did Skrtel score the cherry-on-top monster of a goal in the 81st minute, he also had a very good game defensively despite some average clearances.
Dejan Lovren – 7.5
Lovren has been quite good and much calmer after Klopp has took over the managerial role. Filling in for Mamadou Sakho, Lovren played with much more confidence and heart and worked well alongside Skrtel. His first half was pretty faultless as compared to the second where things got more nerve-wracking.
Alberto Moreno – 8
He deserves a lot of credit for being outstanding defensively. He made some great runs and had yet another solid performance. His improvement from last season to this is visible in every game he plays and there’s no doubt he’s on his way to become a top left-back. He had his poor moments but compensated for them as the match went on.
Emre Can – 8.5
His back-heel touch leading to the third Liverpool goal was absolutely sublime. He showed great energy and class in possession and his defence was admirable as well. Emre Can is quickly becoming the engine of this team.
Lucas Leiva- 8.5
He received an inevitable yellow for a foul on Aguero but we can probably dare to say that Lucas Leiva is back to being his best. He’s on a whole different level under Klopp. Almost being at the verge of leaving during every transfer season, he’s showing his capabilities well.
James Milner – 7.5
He had a better game as compared to the one against Crystal Palace for sure. He had a lot of decent runs and denied Fernandinho a chance with a great defensive header. He had some other good defensive moments as well.
Adam Lallana- 8.5
He had great work rate, skill and energy throughout the match and put up a great performance. He showed one of his best displays in football. Also looking like a changed man, he’s starting to look more like the £25m player who Liverpool got. Like most of the Liverpool players did, he too had a great game.
Philippe Coutinho – 9
It was an absolute Brazilian show today with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino leading the way. Coutinho scored Liverpool’s second goal with a cross from Firmino which he beautifully slid into the net. It was his 4th goal in 5 games against Man City. He then assisted Firmino’s goal – as if like returning the favour. He also scored another goal which was rightly called offside. With 20 minutes left of the match, Coutinho was subbed due to a hamstring problem for Jordon Ibe.
Roberto Firmino- 9
He was the other Brazilian to put Liverpool in a dominating position. He scored Liverpool’s third goal thanks to a beautiful cross from Coutinho. His goal defined Brazilian football. He could have, in fact, had five goals had it not been for Joe Hart. Klopp played him in a central position and showed why Liverpool paid £21m for him.
Substitutes
Jordon Ibe – 7.5
Ibe was the first substitute for Liverpool as he came on for Coutinho with 20 minutes of play left. He did well when he came on. He's one of the players who has bought into Klopp’s way of play early on. He takes players on at speed and often comes away the better.
Christian Benteke – 7Benteke replaced Roberto Firmino with the last 15 minutes of play left. He missed a one-on-one opportunity which Ibe set up for him as Joe Hart was there to thwart him.
Kolo Toure – N/AHe did not have enough time to influence the game after coming on for Adam Lallana in the 89th minute.
