This was always going to be a very tough match for Liverpool so early in the season with a new manager still trying settle in and get to know his players and his best team he really has been given a baptism of fire. Arsenal last week, a tough Europa League tie on Thursday not to mention the fixtures that follow, it really is such a tough start. It didn't help having new signing Cole unavailable after his harsh red card last weekend. But worse still was the mayhem prior to the match when the transfer speculation involving Mascherano excluded him from the team.
I couldnt argue with the team Roy sent out, I was pleased to see him play both Torres and N'Gog upfront, which I thought he might do with Cole missing, although I wonder if they were only paired at that last minute when Mascherano dropped out. To a lot of people's surprise away from home Roy went for a 4-4-2 formation which delighted me and I honestly was very happy with his team selection and formation.
THE MATCH
The game started with both teams trying to attack and Liverpool started not too bad but they were hit hard when City broke down the right and debutant Milner cutting the ball back for Barry to steer into the net. City grew in confidence with the goal and Liverpool really struggled for the remainder of the first half. Agger and Jovanovic were given a torrid time from Johnson and Richards breaking forward time and again. Liverpool couldn't keep the ball, to be fair City were working so hard at chasing Liverpool down but you expected better from Liverpool. Gerrard wasn't getting into the game, Torres and N'Gog were getting no service, Lucas couldn't get near the City midfielders and Kuyt was giving the ball away so badly. It was really poor in the first half even though Liverpool did start to creep into the match just before half time.
Liverpool came out better the second half attacking from the start and passing a lot better but then they were hit with a sucker punch when Man City scored a second from a corner. Milner sent over a corner wich Richards headered rising above Agger, his header went goalbound and with Tevez in front of Reina his distraction made Reina unable to save it although Tevez claimed the goal there appeared no touch from the Argentinian. Liverpool now had a mountain to climb but when an amazing piece of bad luck and great goalkeeping unfolded you just knew it wasn't going to be Liverpool's night. Gerrard smashed against the post which cannoned off the back of the diving Hart, any other day it would have rebounded into the net. Then the ball fell to N'Gog who shot but Hart saved then Torres had a go but Hart saved again and this was as close as Liverpool came.
An awful night for Liverpool was rounded off when the hapless Skrtel dived in bringing down the ever dangerous Johnson after another jinking run into the box, Skrtel should have seen red after an earlier yellow card. But City were worthy winners in this one and Roy will know that he has a lot of work to do.
SUMMARY
Nightmare for Liverpool, well beat, like I said I couldn't fault Hodgson with his team selection or formation but he could have made changes earlier Babel getting fifteen minutes and poor Pacheco getting the last five. City did play well but after watching the way Liverpool chased and battled against Arsenal this was like a totally different team with a distinct lack of effort in my view. I would give nobody pass marks in this match and players I have to have a go at are Skrtel, bombscare all night and should have walked at the penalty. Agger, I know he's playing out of position but he was so easily beaten all night although I don't think Jovanovic was giving him much protection in front of him. Lucas wasn't up to pace with the City players and Gerrard didn't look fit to me very limited in his running.Kuyt was just terrible, but history now its the next match that counts roll on Thursday.
YNWA
Could not really Grumble about the team selection maybe I would have liked to have seen Babel starting the game over Ngog or Jovanovic but I too was really happy about the formation of the team. It was positive and it could have payed off. When we were 2 -0 down we hit the post and then Hart made an excellent double save. If we had scored then I believe we would have got back in the game but luck was not on our side. Skrtel first booking was a joke. 3 minutes into the game and shown a yellow for hardly anything so I was really pleased he was not sent off later on in the match when he brought down Johnson in the box. So 2 tough starts and at least we have a point on the board to show for it. YNWA
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