Full Time: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Anfield was witness to another incredible European night as Liverpool hammered Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg. The Reds were the only team to have defeated the Cityzens in the Premier League and repeated that feat at a noisy and energetic Anfield stadium.
A lot of attacking was done in the first half alone when we scored three goals in 30 minutes to effectively put the game to bed.
The scoring started with Mohamed Salah lashing from home from close range after Roberto Firmino won the ball back in the penalty area in the 12th minute.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it two after 20 minutes, with a thunderbolt from 20 yards out before Sadio Mane headed home from Salah’s cross in the 31st minute.
Jurgen Klopp has now won seven of his 13 ties against Pep Guardiola and with another big game coming up against Everton at the weekend, the players have to be up for it given that we are still fighting for a top-four finish.
Nevertheless, this was an incredible performance at Anfield and here’s how the boys fared on the night.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Loris Karius – 7.5/10
Karius didn’t really have to make any stunning save, which was rather surprising. His kicking was spot on and hopefully, he will not be troubled too much in the second leg.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8.5/10
Facing Leroy Sane is one thing but ensuring the German doesn’t get the better of you is something else. Trent was brilliant against Sane and kept him quiet throughout the game.
Dejan Lovren – 8/10
It’s not often that we praise Lovren but credit where it is due. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk was excellent against City.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
A clean sheet against Manchester City is a big deal and Van Dijk was the leader at the back, keeping the back four in check all the time.
Andrew Robertson – 8.5/10
Robertson has got to be the bargain of the season as he put in another stellar performance. In the first half, he attacked with every chance he got but in the second half, he put in a disciplined performance given City’s dominance in possession.
Jordan Henderson – 8/10
This was a captain’s performance from Henderson as he kept our team running. Unfortunately, he will miss the second leg as he picked up a booking.
James Milner – 9/10
Milner was a destroyer in midfield as he pestered the City midfield and won the ball back for us to launch attacks.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8/10
Ox’s goal was incredible and kept the pressure on the away side. The Englishman moved around a bit after Salah’s departure and this was another mature showing from the former Arsenal man.
Mohamed Salah – 9/10
Salah got the game running with a cool finish and assisted the third. He’s simply phenomenal, isn’t he?
Roberto Firmino – 8/10
Firmino was full of running and even though he did not trouble the opposition as much as Salah or Mane did, the Brazilian deserves credit for his performance.
Sadio Mane – 9/10
Mane might have had an off-day against Crystal Palace at the weekend but put in an incredible performance full of energy as he scored a crucial third goal for us.
Substitutes
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7/10
A typical Wijnaldum performance where he ran his heart out and kept possession for the team. Wijnaldum often tried to launch attacks too, as we looked to hit City on the counter, in the second half.
Dominic Solanke – 6.5/10
Solanke had his chances to get things right but his final ball was often lacking. He ran his socks off for the team.
Alberto Moreno – N/A
Moreno was brought on for Oxlade-Chamberlain with just a few minutes left on the clock.
