Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018/19

#4 Manchester City fail to implement the disguised 4-4-1-1 formation, Mahrez misses penalty

David Silva looked a shadow of himself

Although Guardiola plotted a 4-3-3 structure, his mastermind illustrated a 4-4-1-1 system on the pitch, with David Silva playing off Sergio Aguero. Usually, the trio in midfield stick close, exploit wide areas with the wingers and make box-to-box runs in turns. This time around though, Pep relied on the magic of Silva to open up an energetic Liverpool midfield.

Neither did Silva influence the game, nor did City look like champions except for a few moments here and there. There was an unnecessary sense of urgency and carelessness about his passing as he failed to find his man on a handful of occasions.

Also, the deep role of Bernardo Silva sucked his creativity out - the creativity he provides in the final third. City could have won the game with the penalty, but as things worked out, this game plan didn't quite work for Guardiola and co.

Towards the end of the game, when it looked like both teams would share the spoils, Sane earned a penalty for the champions. Mahrez stepped up to take it, but fired it way above the frame of the goal. Had he scored, the 27-year-old would have totally announced himself as a 'Manchester City' player.