Liverpool were denied a statement win against Man City as Dominik Szoboszlai’s best free kick yet was neutralised by two late strikes from the visitors.
It was as poor a first half as we have seen at Anfield this season. Pep Guardiola’s terrible record away to Liverpool was clearly on his mind judging by the aggression his side started the game with.
The second half was better. Szoboszlai banged in another world-class free-kick from distance, before Bernardo Silva equalised from point-blank range.
Liverpool hearts were broken by an injury-time penalty converted by Erling Haaland. Then, the game got crazy. It ticked into the 100th minute, when City managed a third goal, only for it to be ruled out for a foul from Szoboszlai, with Liverpool’s goalscorer sent off.
Who was Liverpool’s best player during the breathless defeat against Man City?
Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
A mad ending, and a heartbreaking loss. 2-1.
Liverpool player ratings vs Man City
Alisson Becker – 4
The visitors could have been ahead on a number of occasions in the first half, but Alisson was on it from the whistle. That is, in terms of shot-stopping. His distribution was uncharacteristically rash at times.
The penalty he conceded at the end was harsh, but also a bad decision from the Brazilian.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Standing in at right-back again, Szoboszlai was missed in the midfield. He more than made up for it, though, with another ridiculous free-kick that might just trump the one at Arsenal earlier in the season. Phenomenal.
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The red card at the end, I don’t know what to tell you.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
After a standout performance against Newcastle, Konate was solid again. He was beaten to a header by Erling Haaland for City’s equaliser, but that was an awkward deflected cross.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Van Dijk had the most difficult assignment in the Premier League — to keep Haaland quiet. He did exactly that, from open play anyway.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Liverpool fans were delighted with Kerkez after some brilliant defensive work to keep City at bay, starting with a goal-saving challenge in just the second minute. Stayed at that level for the rest of the game.
Erling Haaland battles Milos Kerkez for the ball during Liverpool vs Manchester City in the Premier League at Anfield
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Once again, Gravenberch struggled to get a hold on the game. His play out of possession was the better facet of his performance. Need him back to his best.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
There was plenty of chatter this week about Mac Allister attracting interest from Real Madrid, and it might be why he looked a step slow.
Florian Wirtz – 5
Not the performance we have grown accustomed to from Wirtz. A couple of dangerous moments, but missing that final bit of quality.
Who REALLY got the better deal here? Liverpool or City?
Should we have signed Cherki instead? 😬
Florian Wirtz applauds fans after Liverpool's UEFA Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park (Credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke).
Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring for Manchester City during their Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell - CameraSport).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Rob Newell – CaemeraSport
Mohamed Salah – 6
It was more of the same from Salah for much of the first half, but he grew into the game and created chances for his teammates that should have resulted in at least one goal.
Hugo Ekitike – 5
The Frenchman was let down by his teammates in the first half, who couldn’t find him despite plenty of dangerous runs. Faded in the second half again.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Not his best game. He was getting on the ball more than his fellow attackers, though.
Substitutions
Curtis Jones – 5
Jones had a golden chance to play Salah through when he came on. Quiet otherwise.
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