5 major talking points from Liverpool’s humbling of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola switched formations for the clash, bringing Aymeric Laporte into a back three, starting Ilkay Gündogan beside Fernandino in midfield and starting Raheem Sterling on the bench.

Attacking with such directness and pace – going for the heart of the opposition defence without hesitation or complication – is an approach others could try to copy.

The visitors managed to stem the Liverpool tide in the second period, so much so that it was nearly one-way traffic, albeit without City creating a clear-cut chance to net a priceless away goal.

“But we have to work”, he added.

City responded with a swift counter-attack of their own but Leroy Sane, who had broken from deep, screwed the ball wide when he could have played in team mate Kevin De Bruyne.

But a 3-0 result was probably more than Liverpool fans were even expecting and if the reds can grab a goal away at the Etihad next Tuesday then Man City will need to score five times to advance to the next round. So 3-0 but nothing else. We did it. Because of our quality, it’s 3-0 instead of 1-0.

Most attempt to contain them but Liverpool got at Manchester City from the off and immediately had the visitors rattled.

The match itself was a a pulsating affair, with the Reds stunning Guardiola’s men in the first half, though unfortunately some might remember the game for antics off the field rather than on it.

“After the game I asked him and he said he feels fine so we have to wait for the real diagnosis, not Mo’s diagnosis”. “You celebrate the party only when the party starts”.

His shot was blocked by City keeper Ederson but Firmino pounced on the loose ball and slipped it to Salah, who fired home.

Guardiola paced his technical area, scratching his head. But worse was to come for City.

However, it won’t just be the action on the field that people will be talking about in the days to come. Except 10-15 minutes in the first half when we lost a bit of control. from my point of view, we did really well.

Liverpool didn’t want to hear the halftime whistle.

Injuries are mounting, with Mohamed Salah going off with a knock in the 53 minute waiting to be evaluated in the coming days in addition to the ailing Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Adam Lallana and Emre Can.

The introduction of Sterling, for Gundogan, meant City reverted to their usual shape but Liverpool’s defending was excellent.