The visitors barely put up a fight in their fourth straight league loss, proving that no one was betting on them to win at Anfield.
Although Manchester City has had many awful journeys to Anfield, Sunday’s has to be one of their worst because they lost 2-0 to Liverpool, which seemed certain from the first whistle. The Premier League winners traveled to Merseyside with confidence on the field, but Cody Gakpo took advantage of a fantastic cross from Mohamed Salah and a major mistake in Kyle Walker’s concentration to put them behind in the 12th minute.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (5/10):
Got his first league start in the biggest game of the season and looked more solid than Ederson until he mistimed his challenge on Diaz.
Kyle Walker (3/10):
Asleep at back post when Gakpo scored and had a tough first half. Rounded off another miserable day with his howler of a clearance in build-up to the penalty.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
His return couldn’t lift the defence and despite making some good blocks, he succumbed to the virus himself with his role in the litany of errors leading to the penalty.
Manuel Akanji (4/10):
Not alert enough in or out of possession. Two giveaways led to big Liverpool chances while he gave Salah too much respect for the opening goal.
Nathan Ake (5/10):
Made a good tackle on Salah and gave City a little more security down the left hand side than Gvardiol.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Showed signs of life in the second half but overall was underwhelming.
Ilkay Gundogan (4/10):
Overwhelmed yet again playing a holding role he’s never been suited to.
Phil Foden (5/10):
Made no noticeable contribution in attack.
Attack
Rico Lewis (5/10):
Worked hard to try and keep City in the game, although he missed a huge chance to equalise, unwisely shooting with the outside of his foot.
Erling Haaland (4/10):
Got eaten alive by Van Dijk and barely got a look in.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Played a strong defensive game in an effort to maintain a respectable score. made an outstanding tackle on Gakpo and was booked for taking down Alexander-Arnold.
Subs & Manager
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Looked most likely to create something.
Savinho (5/10):
Gave City more spark but struggled to add substance to his style.
Jack Grealish (5/10):
Created a couple of nice moves that came to nothing.
Kevin De Bruyne (5/10):
Should have done better after Van Dijk gifted him a shot.
Pep Guardiola (4/10):
His strategies screamed damage reduction, and he made two crucial decisions by excluding Ederson and Gvardiol.