Liverpool and Man City show they are capable of going unbeaten this season

Alam Khan - Reporter 02:00 08/10/2018
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  • Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola

    Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty as Manchester City blew the chance of ending their Anfield hoodoo.

    The Algerian winger stepped up in the 86th minute after Leroy Sane had been caught by Virgil van Dijk.

    But Mahrez blasted his spot-kick way over the bar as honours between the Premier League’s top two ended even.

    City, who had not won at Liverpool since 2003, had the game’s first shot on target through Mahrez in the 61st minute in a game which was hard fought.

    He also forced Alisson into a smart save while Mohamed Salah spurned chances at the other end for the hosts.

    Here we examine three things learned from the clash.

    A BATTLE ROYALE

    Virgil van Dijk gives away the penalty

    Virgil van Dijk gives away the penalty

    It has often been said the reason why Floyd Mayweather was so successful was his defence. He had the mastered the art of not being hit down to a tee and finished his career unbeaten at 50-0.

    If this game is anything to go by then Liverpool and City have all the attributes to finish the season unbeaten.

    While their attacks have been lauded in the past, the defences proved their worth in an Anfield contest that emphasises why they are currently the two best teams in the Premier League.

    This was a closely-fought battle which saw control, counter punching – and, ultimately, no decisive knockout blow. Riyad Mahrez had that opportunity but spurned it with his awful penalty kick.

    Having had the first shot on target in the 61st minute, followed by one for Salah at the other end, it would have been unfair to either side if there was a winner.

    Neither wanted to lose, nor could they afford to.

    The lack of attempts on target were credit to the backlines and their determination not to give anything away. Any teams so hard to break down like this, and with frontmen proven to conjure up opportunities in an instant, will have every chance of remaining the ones to beat

    STERLING SUBDUED

    Joe Gomez and Raheem Sterling battle for possession

    Joe Gomez and Raheem Sterling battle for possession

    It’s three years now since Raheem Sterling left Liverpool in acrimonious circumstances. The England international said he wanted to better himself and win trophies, while Reds fans felt he went for the greater riches on offer at Manchester City and give him stick whenever he comes back to Anfield.

    It seems unfair given every professional should be given an opportunity to pursue glory and Liverpool also received up to £49 million for a young player yet to fulfill his potential.

    But as the 23-year-old endured another difficult day, it’s clear he is affected on his return to his old stamping ground. He’s never looked comfortable or as confident as he is at the Etihad Stadium, where he has three goals at home this season.

    It’s not down to ability nor effort, but points to psychological. The constant barracking and boos must take their toll no matter how much he tries to blot it out or show defiance.

    Sterling’s brilliance has been there to behold, but I often wonder if he would be better starting on the bench and then unleashed as defences begin to tire.

    He also works better in tandem with Leroy Sane. There is a chemistry between the pair which makes their contributions classy as well as cavalier.

    With Riyad Mahrez struggling on the opposite wing, strangely reluctant to go on the outside of his marker Andrew Robertson, the onus was on Sterling to fire City’s attack.

    But it was tough going for the Englishman and no surprise when he was eventually replaced by Sane.

    CITY’S FUTURE DEFENCE

    Aymeric Laporte (L) vies with Mohamed Salah

    Aymeric Laporte (L) vies with Mohamed Salah

    In two games last season against Liverpool, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones were found wanting and questions asked of their ability.

    Costing more than £100m between them, this was the pair Pep Guardiola was hoping could be the cornerstone of City’s defence for the next decade.

    But they were teased and tormented by the fearsome Reds attack in crucial Premier League and Champions League losses.

    Stones was pressed into mistakes as City’s hopes of an ‘Invincible’ campaign ended in the league meeting, while Laporte looked a liability when moved to the left side of defence in the Anfield encounter which pretty much ended City’s European dream.

    But Guardiola kept believing in them and rightly so. At 24, they are still learning and, in starting with them on Sunday and leaving the experienced Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi on the bench, it signalled a changing of the guard and a show of faith.

    Stones and Laporte did not let him down. In such a high-octane, high risk, high pressured game, they kept their cool with important clearances and remained classy.

    While they are still a work in progress and need more games together, there is a look of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic about them and we all know how good and how successful they were.

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