#2 Liverpool grow into the game
Despite City starting the game well, they were unable to register a single shot on target and eventually Liverpool got back into the game. Emre Can continued his impressive form in the holding role as he constantly pressed, recovered balls and was strong in his challenges. His tenacity coupled with Sadio Mane’s pace started to push City, with Mane leaving Nicolas Otamendi for dead with his pace in the middle of the 1st half.
Eventually, Liverpool started to dominate the midfield with Adam Lallana’s pressing, Georginio Wijnaldum’s dynamism and the Liverpool centre-back duo of Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan holding strong against Manchester City’s attacking riches. Liverpool started creating chances and City goalkeeper Willy Caballero was brought into play making good saves, including a save from a thumping volley from Lallana.
However, Pep Guardiola’s decision to play Fernandinho in the right-back position to provide solidarity was not tested as Philippe Coutinho’s poor form continued. It was summed up when he cut in on his favoured right-foot inside the box with Fernandinho beaten, but he could not even test the goalkeeper from his usual scoring position. John Stones made a crucial intervention close to half-time as the teams went in goalless at the break.
