3 reasons why Liverpool drew vs Manchester City

It was always going to be a rather interesting clash when Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola butted heads together once again in the Premier League. The reigning Champions of England against the one team that many predict will take away their crown, and if that wasn’t enough, two of world football’s top managers going head to head in a race that still sees three teams unbeaten.

Liverpool vs Manchester City, Sergio Aguero vs Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker vs Ederson Morales, Raheem Sterling vs Anfield. In the end, the game ended a goalless draw, and both sides walked away with point apiece. In the end, it wasn’t the attacking masterpiece that it was last season, but instead more of a thoughtful and strategic battle between two brilliant foes who have come to know each other very well.

The game did have its fair share of moments that could have changed the game, alongside the ups and downs but Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool walked away with what they will consider being a lucky point. Especially after Riyad Mahrez sent a penalty high into the evening sky, while Alisson was a human blockade in front of his goal, making more than his share of crucial saves.

Here are three reasons why Liverpool and Manchester City ended in a draw:

#3 Solid midfield duo

Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League

No, it’s not James Milner this time and while the former City star did have to be replaced well before the halftime whistle, his industrious running was something Liverpool missed in the second half. But this isn’t the space for the never-ageing Mr Milner, but instead, this is for Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson.

Now the Englishman had the world in awe as he excelled as a deep-lying midfielder for England during the World Cup, but his defensive side is something that not too many people notice.

As for the Dutchman, well he has certainly evolved from his time at Newcastle United. An attacking midfielder, Wijnaldum has slowly become yet another deep-lying midfielder who has the ability to control play surprisingly well, and has somehow managed retain his place in the midfield trio despite the likes of Naby Keita and Fabinho on the bench.

His performance in the first half was exceptional and at times, had even Manchester City shocked as he weaved in and out, finding space to keep the ball moving before the Citizens took over possession.

Defensively, both him and Henderson were everywhere breaking up play and making sure that the Manchester City’s puppet masters had very little time on the ball. Both Bernardo Silva and David Silva, especially the Spaniard struggled to make too much off an impact, with the midfield duo forever nipping at their heels.

#2 Dejan Lovren and Virgil Van Dijk are surprisingly good together

Moving Joe Gomez to centre-back was an absolute masterstroke by Jurgen Klopp and the 21-year-old responded in kind, putting in a few exceptional performances alongside Virgil Van Dijk. However, with young Trent Alexander Arnold struggling to make his mark this season, especially after that mid-week performance, Klopp decided to start Gomez as a right back and instead bring in self-proclaimed “greatest defender in the world” Dejan Lovren. But my, oh my, did the Croatian shock even the Kop, with arguably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt.

Alongside what looked like a rather tired Virgil Van Dijk, Lovren was an absolute rock despite facing Manchester City’s incredible duo of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero. While both have their issues facing Liverpool and being at Anfield on their day, they are unstoppable and yet against the Reds and that back-line they struggled to make an impact. The 29-year-old was everywhere; even making sure his partner was covered when Van Dijk made rare errors in judgement.

Lovren was Liverpool’s rock at the back and alongside Virgil Van Dijk, he even looked like one of the best defenders in the world. But then again consistency has always been his issue, with the Croatian doing well one game before making horrific errors in the next. Now with Alexander Arnold benched for the near future, maybe Lovren can make that centre-back spot his and prove to Klopp and the Reds’ faithful that he belongs at Anfield.

#1 Misfiring front three

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firminio and Sadio Mane. The three names that just happen to ever-present on Jurgen Klopp’s team-sheet ever since the start of last season, especially after the number of goals the trio contributed to.

By the time the whistle had blown in Kiev, the Liverpool frontmen had a combined total of 91 goals and 42 assists in all competitions, with a stunning 57 goals and 25 assists in just the Premier League.

While a massive chunk of those Premier League goals is Mo Salah’s, it’s the sheer stats and numbers behind last season’s performance that has to lead us to expect even greater things from Liverpool’s Fab Three. But somehow, despite a great start to the season from Sadio Mane, things have petered off with the Fab three struggling to combine together.

That was something that made them so lethal last season, the three combining together making defenders and even goalkeepers scared before they even walked on the pitch.

This season, the trio together have managed to score only 10 goals and provide a further 4 assists, with 9 goals in the Premier League. However, whatever is the issues as of right now, Jurgen Klopp needs to sort it out.

Maybe things look worse than they actually are, but in the end, goals win games. And as of right now, Liverpool are on a four-game winless run in all competitions, scoring just two goals.

Edited by Sripad