EPL 2017/18: Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool, 5 Talking Points

#4 Liverpool substitutions baffle

The decision to bring on Oxlade Chamberlain for Mo Salah was surprising, to say the least

Up until Sadio Mane’s unfortunate straight red, this was one match that seemed to be going absolutely neck to neck even though City had drawn first blood. The Reds looked to be completely up for the challenge with their agile wingers once again wreaking havoc in the opposition box. Two of City’s defensive players had already seen yellow and keeper Ederson had been forced into at least one fine save.

As it were, even with Mane gone, Mo Salah seemed to be the man most capable of producing an opening for Liverpool. Hence, when Jurgen Klopp decided to bring on new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Salah in the second half, it seemed surprising and rather far-fetched.

It wasn’t surprising however that Ox could do little of note in his 45 minutes on the pitch although it does seem a little harsh to already start incriminating him given the circumstances under which he came on today.

Liverpool’s two other substitutions were James Milner for Gini Wijnaldum and Dominic Solanke for Roberto Firmino. While the Milner substitution is still understandable given that it was a like for like substitution, bringing on Solanke when you have a goal loving player like Sturridge on the bench and that too for another offensive player when you are already 3-0 down and playing with five at the back again desires a lot to be explained.