Liverpool and Manchester City player ratings as Mohamed Salah gets an 8 but Nicolas Otamendi is a 5

Sport360 staff 22:32 14/01/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Liverpool's attackers hounded City's defence

    Liverpool’s forwards came out top in the battle of the Premier League’s great entertainers as Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the season was ended in remarkable fashion at Anfield.

    Having won all but two of their league matches this season, Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves 4-1 down midway through the second half and they looked well beaten before a late rally set up a nerve-jangling finale but the hosts held on for a 4-3 win.

    The ending of their 30-match unbeaten run, stretching back to April, handed Manchester United the chance to cut City’s lead to 12 against Stoke on Monday.

    Here, we look at the player ratings:

    LIVERPOOL

    Loris Karius: Made confident start but should have done better for Leroy Sane’s strike. 5

    Joe Gomez: Was caught out by the crossfield Kyle Walker pass that led to Sane’s equaliser. 6

    Dejan Lovren: Composed display that kept Sergio Aguero quiet. 6

    Joel Matip: Made some timely tackles and blocks to repel City’s attack. 7

    Andrew Robertson: Functional display on the left without being able to show his attacking ability. 6

    Emre Can: Won a lot of 50-50 balls in a hard-working display. 7

    Georginio Wijnaldum: Kept the midfield moving forward and pushing City back. 7

    Mohamed Salah: Pounced on an Ederson mistake to score a brilliant goal, capping a fine performance. 8

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: His best Liverpool game, always chasing back or driving forward and scored a superb individual goal. 9

    Sadio Mane: Formidable going forward when Liverpool got into their groove and also scored a fine goal. 8

    Roberto Firmino: Also kept City on the back foot and did brilliantly to rob John Stones and chip Ederson for his goal. 8

    SUBSTITUTES:

    James Milner (for Can, 79): Attempted to bring a steadying influence to the midfield in the latter stages. 6

    Adam Lallana (for Salah, 88): Late introduction as Liverpool tried to kill off the game. 5

    Ragnar Klavan (for Mane, 90): Late defensive reinforcement. 5

    MANCHESTER CITY

    Ederson: Had an afternoon to forget as Liverpool stepped up the tempo in the second half and must take his share of blame. 5

    Kyle Walker: Set up Sane’s equaliser with a fine pass but not at his best. 6

    John Stones: Made some good interceptions but too easily dispossessed for Firmino’s goal. 5

    Nicolas Otamendi: Headed against the bar at 1-1 but run ragged as Liverpool moved through the gears. 5

    Fabian Delph: Caught out by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s run for Liverpool’s opener and then withdrew injured after half an hour. 5

    Fernandinho: Strong in the first half but could not prevent Liverpool taking charge. 6

    Ilkay Gundogan: Struggled to influence the game despite showing good awareness, although his late goal set up a nervy finish. 6

    Kevin de Bruyne: Showed his usual determination but his passing and crossing were uncharacteristically wayward. 6

    Raheem Sterling: Given a rough time by the home fans and he could not quieten them. 5

    Sergio Aguero: Has never scored at Anfield and did not look like doing so on this occasion as the Reds swarmed around him. 5

    Leroy Sane: Showed superb control and clinical finishing ability to score but it proved a rare moment of quality. 7

    SUBSTITUTES:

    Danilo (for Delph, 31): Struggled to contain the outstanding Salah in the second half. 5

    Bernardo Silva (for Sterling, 71): Given a difficult task with the game seemingly over but pulled a goal back. 6

    Recommended