Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City: Hits and flops | Premier League 2019-20 

Liverpool's red juggernaut came out on top against their fiercest title rivals Manchester City by three goals to one. Goals from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane rounded off a clinical display, alongside a great performance from the back 4.

Bernardo Silva's late strike did spoil the clean sheet party for Liverpool, but it was a good performance by the Merseyside club as they go 9 points clear of City and 8 points clear of Chelsea and Leicester City at the top.

A somewhat crippled City did create a few good chances, but they weren't clinical enough to trouble Alisson Becker. The closest City came to scoring was when their left-back Angelino scuffed a shot onto the post via a slight deflection.

The Reds have given themselves a huge boost in the title race with this win and although there are lots of games ahead in the league, one can't help but think that the title is now Liverpool's to lose.

Here are the hits and flops from arguably the most important game of the Premier League season so far.

Honourable mentions: Sadio Mane (hit), Kevin de Bruyne (hit), Mohamed Salah (hit), Claudio Bravo (flop).

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Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold (far left)

Liverpool's young right-back was sensational. Apart from the handball controversy which was deemed not a foul by the referee as well as VAR, the Englishman was one of the best players on the pitch.

This was epitomised by a wonderful cross-field ball to Andrew Robertson with his left foot which ultimately led to Liverpool's second goal. He was always available to whip crosses into the box and was a constant attacking threat down the right and the left on a couple of occasions as well.

The 21-year-old was an absolute joy to watch and produced some impressive touches which earned plaudits from the Anfield crowd. Defensively, he was given a stern test by Raheem Sterling, and the right-back was fairly solid. Although he was beaten a few times and needed help from the centre-backs (especially late on), it was more down to the quality of Sterling than defensive lapses.

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Flop: John Stones

John Stones

The English defender never really settled into the game and was run ragged by the Liverpool front three. He didn't look confident even in terms of aerial balls, as despite his height advantage, he was bullied by Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. He also looked unsure every time Liverpool were on the counter.

He made one good interception, but aside that he never looked the strong and sure centre-back who helped Manchester City claim a second consecutive league title, as he was easily beaten by Mane in the buildup to the first goal.

There was no cohesion between John Stones and his centre-half partner, and it looked like Stones only performs well when he has Aymeric Laporte at his side. Fernandinho, who is not a centre-back by trade, looked better than him on a few occasions, and that sums up the difficult evening Stones had against the Liverpool attacking triumvirate.

Hit: Georginio Wijnaldum

Gini Wijnaldum with Pep Guardiola

Georginio Wijnaldum has been guilty lately of going missing in matches, and although he scored against Genk in the Champions League, many fans wanted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Naby Keita to start ahead of the Dutch midfielder.

However, Wijnaldum put in a performance that reminded the world of his quality. He completely bullied the Manchester City players off and on the ball, won the ball back regularly, and showed some magical touches especially in tight spaces.

His ability to retain the ball is extremely underrated at the moment. When no clear pass opportunities are available to him, Wijnaldum nonchalantly dribbles past 3-4 players. He has also started popping up in the box more often, so he should get a couple of goals this season.

When he plays the way he did against City, he looks truly formidable and shows why Jurgen Klopp trusts him in such big games, irrespective of his form leading up to the game in question.

Flop: Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker was disappointing, to say the least. He provided good attacking impetus during the opening exchanges of the game which Manchester City dominated. However, his end product was lacking, and most of Liverpool's teasing crosses came down his flank.

He was noticeably out-of-sorts and completely lost Sadio Mane for the third goal. For the second goal, Andrew Robertson found acres of space down City's right flank, which was meant to be marshalled by Walker. The attack leading up to the first goal also came down his side, and he never looked settled against the pace and energy of Mane and Robertson.

He also missed a header in the dying moments of the game from an Angelino cross which would have made the Liverpool fans extremely nervous for the final minutes of the game. It is now clear why he has lost his place in the England national setup and will find it difficult to dislodge Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the pecking order.

Hit: Fabinho

Fabinho

Fabinho was arguably Liverpool's best player on the pitch and the man-of-the-match. The Brazilian did everything that could be asked of a holding midfielder, even popping up with a 25-yard screamer to open the scoring.

He offered excellent protection in front of the back four, snapped into tackles, and thwarted several Manchester City attacks by winning the ball back. He was also important during the barrage of City corners, with his height and physicality causing problems for Pep Guardiola's men.

He was relentless and kept plugging gaps when City went hell-for-leather in the last 10-15 minutes of the game.

The Brazillian kept Kevin de Bruyne (arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment) extremely quiet by his standards, outperforming every City midfielder. It was an incredible display from Fabinho who has firmly cemented his name as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at the moment.