Man City 3-0 Liverpool: Match Review
Liverpool have lost five away games this season after a 3-0 loss at Manchester City where they struggled in midfield.
Arne Slot will have to go back to the drawing board.
The Liverpool boss tried to be positive in his assessment of the 3-0 loss to Manchester City and was encouraged by the second-half performance.
But in truth, it was a comprehensive defeat. The reason why the Reds had more joy after the break was that the game was virtually over at the interval. As was Liverpool’s Premier League title defence. City were in the driving seat with a two-goal advantage.
The triumvirate of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were key to the Reds claiming the English championship in Slot’s maiden season. They also clicked when reuniting in wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
But away from home, Liverpool have struggled this season. They have lost games against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brentford, Galatasaray and now City. They also scrapped over the line at Newcastle United and Burnley.
Gravenberch was arguably the best holding midfielder in the Premier League last season and was named in the PFA Team of the Year. Slot’s decision to deploy the Netherlands in the number-six position paid dividends. But Liverpool may need more of a ball-winner in there on their travels. Against City, Gravenberch won just two of the nine ground duels that he contested in. He also did not make a single tackle.
There was hope that Alexis Mac Allister had recaptured his form following his goal against Madrid. The Argentina international has had a miserable opening to the campaign after an injury, having also been selected by his peers in the PFA Team of the Year. Yet Mac Allister came out on top in just two of five duels and also failed to make a tackle.
Endo recall should be considered
In truth, more pragmatism is required on the road. Someone who has defensive nous to snuff out danger may be needed in the short term. Slot should consider turning to Wataru Endo as a stopgap.
The Japan international has been a peripheral player since Slot took charge as head coach. Endo has started only two league games, both of which were last season after the title was already claimed. But in the 2023-24 campaign, after his surprise arrival from Stuttgart, he was a trusted figure under former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Endo is a no-thrills midfielder. He will win the ball and play it with simplicity. The 32-year-old might not be as cultured as Gravenberch or Mac Allister but would be a shield that protects a porous Liverpool defence.
Granted, Endo is short of match sharpness, having played only seven times in all competitions. But he is a consummate professional who has remained at Liverpool to play his part when required.
It is understandable why Slot has resisted playing Endo for the majority of his Liverpool reign, despite being an admirer. Endo has rarely let his team down when he features. “What makes Wata special, in my opinion, is every time we have to rely on him – if it’s five, 10, 20 or 25 minutes – he shows up,” said Slot last season.
“That sounds much more simple than it is because if a player has hardly had a lot of playing time then to be mentally so strong that if the team needs you, you can bring your best performance in – that is not always easy. Because mostly you see players that don’t play a lot find it difficult to get their rhythm or their quality in the less playing time they get.
‘Tackles for a hobby’
Liverpool find themselves in a predicament on their travels. They require additional steel, resolve and, most importantly, someone to show up. On Endo, Klopp said during his final season as manager: “We don’t have now 20 players on the pitch who have tackling as a hobby. He is doing it. On top of that, his passing is really good, his awareness is really good, he finds his position better in possession, all these things.”
The Premier League has become more physical this season and those are qualities that Liverpool’s players have at a paucity. But Endo is someone who is prepared to battle in the middle of the park and do the dirty work.
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