More disappointment for the Blues with first loss at home against Liverpool for seven years
After suffering a brutal exit from the champions league against Real Madrid, Manchester City hosted Liverpool in the last match of the Premier League’s 26th gameweek. Liverpool, coming off more dropped points knew they needed to win to put themselves in a very comfortable position 11 points ahead of Arsenal following their 1-0 defeat to West Ham. City, on the other hand, knew a win would take them into 3rd following Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Newcastle earlier on the day. It was a changed lineup, with Rico Lewis starting in defence alongside Kushanov, Dias and Gvardiol. Nico Gonzalez kept his place with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden in midfield. Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Savio were in attack. Erling Haaland was still out with an injury and was not in the squad
City already looked a much better team than they did on Wednesday night, however, the attacking poroblems they had suffered from all season were still ever present in this match. Doku, despite being able to get the better of Alexander-Arnold on multiple occasions, just couldn’t seem to find anyone in the box with the ball being cleared out immediately by one of Konate or Van Dijk on every occasion. It wasn’t City’s best shooting day either, merely giving Allison a catching session with each shot who hardly had to make any proper saves. Despite more positivity, City were once again vulnerable on the break with Salah winning all the races down that right wing and putting the defence under pressure.
After being forced to make a block in the 13th minute a Liverpool corner was awarded. City seemed to have plenty of men in the box however they were taken by surprise by what appeared to be some sort of training ground corner routine used in an actual game. A pass on the ground to Szoboslai was layed off to Salah who shot first time and after taking a hefty deflection the ball was in the back of the net. City found themselves behind again, an occurrence far too familiar all season. Pushing for an equaliser, City continued to attack ambitiously but the defence was secure with no way through. The one time City did find the net through Marmoush in the 30th minute, the Egyptian was offside and even then the shot had to bounce off the post before going in.
Four minutes later, Liverpool were once again in the City area and after a shot from Szobozslai took another deflection and into the net it was the match practically sealed as the goal dampened City’s efforts and Liverpool nevertheless still had the better chances and were more secure in defence. A sign of where the two sides are at presently.
The second half was a similar story, with City still not find a way through and passing around just outside the area once again looking out of ideas. The few occasions they did look dangerous possession was either robbed from them or forced errors were made. Arguably the liveliest City were in the second half was just after a third Liverpool goal was disallowed for offside and City came charging up the field, with Marmoush narrowly missing a shot on goal. Questionable substitutions were made, with Kovacic coming on for Foden and Marmoush off for Gundogan, two changes seemingly defensive when in pursuit of two goals surely did not help the situation. Ultimately, City chased shadows all the way to a 2-0 defeat and Liverpool remained firm. It ended 2-0.
Liverpool surely now can say for the first time they have a firm grip on the title, now going 11 points clear at the top of the table. For City, it is an opportunity missed, however, at the end of the day they were facing top of the league – which the Blues have been so used to being themselves but reality must be faced. There are still more crucial fixtures to come and top 4 must be a priority. City face Tottenham away next on Wednesday evening.