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The Clash of the Titans, as the game between the top two sides was billed, failed to live up to the expectations. However, even though there were no goals in the game, the match had its entertaining moments. Both teams had chances to seal the win, but a combination of various factors meant that the game ultimately ended in a draw.
Liverpool were their usual attacking self throughout the 90 minutes, however, Manchester City appeared a little restrained. Perhaps they were wary of the Liverpool attack, perhaps they were content on achieving a draw at Anfield, but Pep Guardiola set up his team to ensure that they did not fall behind Liverpool. Yet, it did not in any manner give the impression that City were restrained in the game, they were careful but quite effective in their passing and build up play. Pep Guardiola wanted to catch Jugen Klopp’s team on the counter and set his team out accordingly.
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Manchester City started with Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva as a midfield two, with David Silva playing a supporting striker role with a freedom to roam. Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero and Liverpool’s old boy Raheem Sterling made up the attacking trio. City were compact at the back, but whenever they had a ball, went ahead with determination and zeal, aiming to punish Liverpool. They were relentless in their pursuit, but Liverpool had the steel in them to deal with City’s moves throughout the game. City probably should have won the game when they were awarded a penalty, but Mahrez blasted it into the stands and the game ended 0-0
Liverpool should not be too unhappy about the result. They managed to keep a ferocious City attack under control and also earned the point that keeps that at the top of the league. While the whole team played as a unit, 4 men were crucial for Liverpool. These 4 were inspired, they were possessed by a desire to affect the game and they could not be defeated. The 4 of them ensured City could not surpass Liverpool to the top of the table and we take a look at them here.
#4 Dejan Lovren
The Croatian started in his first game in the league this season, partnering Virgil van Dijk in the defence and immediately made Liverpool look a lot better at the back. However, he almost gave away a penalty with a clumsy challenge on Aguero in the box in the 21st minute. Thankfully, the referee correctly ruled it out. That was the closest City got to the goal in the first half and Lovren was instrumental in keeping the City attack away from Ederson’s goal.
In the second half, Aguero was replaced by Gabriel Jesus and the Brazilian tried to wind up Lovren. However, the Croatian stayed true to his game and did not allow Gabriel Jesus any space or time on the ball to impact the game. There was a shout for a penalty when his arm struck the Brazilian in the 80th minute, but in truth, Gabriel Jesus was just trying to make the most out of a stray arm.
Lovren ensured that Liverpool had answers for everything the Manchester City attack threw at them and he was crucial as Liverpool stayed at the top of the table with a draw.
#3 Alisson Becker
The Brazilian had a quiet first half and was hardly put under pressure at all. In the second half, Mahrez was the first to cause him a few concerns when the Algerian got the better of Robertson in the 60th minute and hit a low shot across the Liverpool goal.
Alisson did look like he had his goal covered, but it was the first warning sign for him. Two minutes later, the Algerian found himself in space again, but the ball was hit with his right leg this time, which meant that Alisson had a simple save to make.
When he was not on the pressure in goal, Alisson tried to find his attacking players with long balls. He initiated a fantastic Liverpool attack in the 70th minute, releasing Robertson quickly to catch City off guard, and Robertson almost set up Salah with a gorgeous ball.
However, in the 76th minute, Alisson had to be at his full concentration as City came calling again. He first palmed away Bernando Silva’s cross, only to clear it as far as Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian unleashed a low, powerful shot at goal, but Alisson was down quickly, making his best save of the game and keeping City at bay yet again.
Whether he was instrumental in causing Mahrez to shoot the penalty into the stands might never be known, but Alisson Becker earned a clean sheet, managing a good save at a crucial time in the game and he certainly did his bit to help Liverpool stay at the top of the table.
#2 Virgil van Djyk
The Dutch defender had another stellar game and would have been at the number one spot in this list, had he not conceded the penalty. Apart from that one mistake, van Dijk did not put a foot wrong in the game.
Van Dijk was assured and composed in defence and ensured that Lovren had a comfortable time by his side. The City’s attacking players found space and time on the counter in a few occasions and arrived near the penalty box in search of Aguero, but neither of Silva, Sterling or Mahrez could combine consistently with the Argentinean because van Dijk had him covered at all time.
The few times that Aguero did get the ball, the Dutchman ensured that he had nowhere to go. Guardiola finally took of Aguero and put on Gabriel Jesus, but even the Brazilian found the Dutchman too hard to crack down. However, van Dijk did make that one mistake though. He was caught off guard by Sane’s pace and attempted a tackle in the box even though the German was not going anywhere.
Van Dijk did not get a touch on the ball and ended up conceding a penalty. However, lady luck favoured him and Mahrez missed the spot kick.
In the end, van Dijk was colossal in defence and his efforts resulted in Liverpool staying at the top of the league before the International break.
#1 Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool Skipper had a massive game, as he orchestrated proceedings from the middle of the park. The Englishman was everywhere in the pitch it seemed, he was defending, he was initiating attacks, and he was making sure that his team were on their toes against a talented City side.
In the middle, his presence and positioning gave the Manchester City midfield a lot of headaches. His passing was good and he continuously initiated attacks and spread the ball to the wings with ease. However, it was when Liverpool lost the ball that Henderson showed his mettle.
He played like a man possessed, desperate to win the ball back, making interceptions, helping out his defenders and ensuring that the Manchester City midfield were ineffective. He was a bundle of energy all through the game and looked every bit like the Skipper Liverpool needed in this game.
Against City, Henderson covered the whole of Anfield and did so repeatedly. He always looked like he could make things happen. In the end, he was Liverpool’s main man and he was monumental in ensuring that Liverpool continued to be league leaders.
