Some things are simply out of Arne Slot’s control once the whistle blows.
The Reds were unable to trouble Man City whatsoever, with this performance being one of the most underwhelming this season.
Liverpool were outplayed all over the pitch, with Slot certainly getting a fair few things wrong, and not for the first time this year.
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Fans will be quick to point the finger at the Dutchman as it is, technically, his fault, although not everything can be pinned on him.
And although work would have been done in training, and perhaps more work is needed, there is one issue that he could not control, and it lost Liverpool the match.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is fouled by Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool lost most of their duels vs Man City
The key to winning any game, let alone one the size of Liverpool vs Man City, is to be all over the opposition and beat them to every ball.
Not giving them time to think or react simply wins teams football games, and this is exactly what Pep Guardiola’s side did on Sunday.
Just four Liverpool players won more duels than they lost, these being Conor Bradley (7/13), Andy Robertson (3/4), Virgil van Dijk (3/4) and Federico Chiesa (1/1), as per FotMob.
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This rather embarrassing statistic shows just how lightweight Liverpool really were, with City all over them in defence, midfield and attack.
READ MORE: Three things we learnt from Liverpool vs Man City as Reds’ abysmal away form continues
It is really no wonder why the Reds lost the game, with this usually what they are so good at doing, but this season has been very different.
Liverpool must be more physical
Out-and-out strength will not win Liverpool more games, but being more eager and physical will.
Liverpool need to be first to every ball, go all in on every challenge and start to dominate the middle of the park again, something they were so good at doing last season.
Based on how the demands of the Premier League are changing, they need to be better aerially too, with teams exploiting this weakness and it is costing Liverpool week in, week out.
Man City really did show their class and prove why they are much better than Liverpool at the moment, but changing small things like duels won can really change the trajectory of their season.