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#2 Liverpool express their energy but City settle after the first 20 minutes
Owing to the full-fledged backing and support of their buzzing fans, the Reds started the match with red-hot intensity. Right from the word go, the likes of Mane and Salah saw themselves in possession in advanced areas of either flank. The latter won a well-directed pass from Gomez but failed to find the target. Unfortunately for the neutrals, the remained the only clear-cut chance of the first half.
The long balls, high press up front and sharp tackling by the Liverpool midfielders caused a sense of panic amongst the Manchester City backline. After having established control of early proceedings, a few misplaced passes and poor free-kicks gave a bit of a breather to the visitors.
Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva positioned themselves better and Guardiola's men were unfazed with the back passes as they tried to calm the explosive Anfield crowd down. With a never-say-die attitude, the Cityzens saw off early pressure and found some rhythm. However, they couldn't do much to disturb the opposition defence.
