I am convinced that we are still a better team than City and this game went some way to proving it. Even without VvD, Thiago and Fabinho we ran them ragged for the first 30 mins and could have won the game then.
As the game went on tiredness was clearly evident and both sides seem to slow considerably and the draw was always favourite from then on.
Possession : 54.7% - 45.3%
Shots : 7 (2) vs. 10 (3)
Passing 85% - 81.7%
Tackles : 41.7% - 69.2%
Saves : 2-1
Fouls won : 9-18
Alisson : 8 - didn't put a foot wrong, brought calm and confidence to the defence.
Robbo - 7 - tons of energy and surging runs, the box delivery not as good though. Defensively I thought he did a great job.
Gomez - 7 - Look at City's shots conceded/on target. That was in large part down to the proficiency of our CBs and Gomez was a large part of that. He seems to be a much better player on the left.
Matip - 7 - yes some of his passing was wayward but he was putting in those tackles that stopped City building attacks. This was an experienced CB knowing what to do against world class players.
TAA - 6 - yes he was partly at fault for Jesus' goal but he did a sterling job on Raheem. Not as influential in the final third but Cancelo had a fine game. His injury is another blow we could have well done without, I heard 2-6 weeks out mentioned by ex-players.
Hendo - 6.5 - The midfield 2 is not a natural formation for him but he quietly, and for the most part, efficiently. went about his work however we were overrun at times in the second half especially. Covered the most ground of any player.
Gini - 5 - can be very frustrating at times. There were at least two occasions he could have released the ball a lot earlier on forward breaks but caution intervened and there were two occasions when he was dispossessed in midfield that could have led to goals and once where he was drawn out of position that did lead to a goal. Otherwise ran his socks off.
Firmino - 5 - just disappointing. He didn't influence the game in any meaningful way (as per his previous outing in this role, one many of us thought would suit him) and lost possession too often.
Mane - 7 - as involved as you would expect but was also frustrating, not shooting when he should. Still easily had the beating of Walker which led to the penalty and he should maybe have run as him more.
Jota - 6 - was really not as involved as he could/should have been. Often when defending he was closing down Rodri so maybe his defensive contribution reduced his attacking one.
Salah - 7 - Did a very good job keeping City's right side tied up and was always a threat. Cancelo has been a strong influence for City down their left but he was so concerned with Salah he rarely joined Sterling in attack. Superb penalty.
Milner - 7 - I thought he did a great job coming on for Trent. Sterling / De Bruyne got nothing out of him.
Shaqiri - 6.5 - He wasn't involved as much as I'd hoped being played out wide though he put in a better shift than Firmino his aggressive passes were cut out.
Klopp - 6.5 - totally flummoxed City/Guardiola for 30 mins with his 4-4-2 formation and had we been clinical this game could have been over even before Jesus scored. However once City got a handle on the formation we needed to switch again as they started to dominate possession. That said with our injuries and tiredness a draw was a good result and they still only managed 7 shots the whole game - so who am I to be critical ?!
As the game went on tiredness was clearly evident and both sides seem to slow considerably and the draw was always favourite from then on.
Possession : 54.7% - 45.3%
Shots : 7 (2) vs. 10 (3)
Passing 85% - 81.7%
Tackles : 41.7% - 69.2%
Saves : 2-1
Fouls won : 9-18
Alisson : 8 - didn't put a foot wrong, brought calm and confidence to the defence.
Robbo - 7 - tons of energy and surging runs, the box delivery not as good though. Defensively I thought he did a great job.
Gomez - 7 - Look at City's shots conceded/on target. That was in large part down to the proficiency of our CBs and Gomez was a large part of that. He seems to be a much better player on the left.
Matip - 7 - yes some of his passing was wayward but he was putting in those tackles that stopped City building attacks. This was an experienced CB knowing what to do against world class players.
TAA - 6 - yes he was partly at fault for Jesus' goal but he did a sterling job on Raheem. Not as influential in the final third but Cancelo had a fine game. His injury is another blow we could have well done without, I heard 2-6 weeks out mentioned by ex-players.
Hendo - 6.5 - The midfield 2 is not a natural formation for him but he quietly, and for the most part, efficiently. went about his work however we were overrun at times in the second half especially. Covered the most ground of any player.
Gini - 5 - can be very frustrating at times. There were at least two occasions he could have released the ball a lot earlier on forward breaks but caution intervened and there were two occasions when he was dispossessed in midfield that could have led to goals and once where he was drawn out of position that did lead to a goal. Otherwise ran his socks off.
Firmino - 5 - just disappointing. He didn't influence the game in any meaningful way (as per his previous outing in this role, one many of us thought would suit him) and lost possession too often.
Mane - 7 - as involved as you would expect but was also frustrating, not shooting when he should. Still easily had the beating of Walker which led to the penalty and he should maybe have run as him more.
Jota - 6 - was really not as involved as he could/should have been. Often when defending he was closing down Rodri so maybe his defensive contribution reduced his attacking one.
Salah - 7 - Did a very good job keeping City's right side tied up and was always a threat. Cancelo has been a strong influence for City down their left but he was so concerned with Salah he rarely joined Sterling in attack. Superb penalty.
Milner - 7 - I thought he did a great job coming on for Trent. Sterling / De Bruyne got nothing out of him.
Shaqiri - 6.5 - He wasn't involved as much as I'd hoped being played out wide though he put in a better shift than Firmino his aggressive passes were cut out.
Klopp - 6.5 - totally flummoxed City/Guardiola for 30 mins with his 4-4-2 formation and had we been clinical this game could have been over even before Jesus scored. However once City got a handle on the formation we needed to switch again as they started to dominate possession. That said with our injuries and tiredness a draw was a good result and they still only managed 7 shots the whole game - so who am I to be critical ?!
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