Four Findings: Man City (H)

Having stumbled out of European competition for the second time, earlier in the week, Liverpool showed no signs of the loss lingering as they beat Manchester City (2-1), making an unabated and definitive statement of intent about their top four ambitions.

In a high tempo, high pressure match, the Reds thrilled Anfield with arguably their best performance of the campaign. Despite injuries and four strikers starting on the bench, Merseyside’s smaller, speedier, technically sound starting eleven took their game to the league’s second best side. Istanbul may prove to be a mere blip in a run that may yet redefine the Reds’ entire season.

Here are four findings from today’s match.

A Brilliant Brazilian – Simply put, Philippe Coutiinho is the difference. No only is he the “brain of the team,“ as Brendan Rodgers remarked in preseason, he has quickly become the beating heart, as well. The Little Magician has been the constant performer during the resurgent run. He is the in form player of the league’s in form team. After his big name teammates faltered against Besiktas, is there a bigger footballer in the side than the Brazilian?

For such a small frame, his shoulders are deceptively broad. To think of his goal scoring ability being questioned now. That criticism seems so myopic of late. In the last few weeks, he has not only been scoring, but finishing absolute, game-changing thrillers. There are no tap-ins from Coutinho, just crackers followed by knee slides with a nodding, knowing, I-meant-to-do-that look.

Accolades for Allen – Joe Allen is easy to miss. Not only is the Welshmen smaller in stature, but he plays in an unassuming, supportive way. He does not score many goals  and is not showy. Allen does the kinds of things that can easily go unnoticed; recycling possession, keeping the team ticking over, making the pass before the pass. Yet his partnership with Jordan Henderson is growing, and his tidy touches maintain the side’s high tempo.

Repeatedly, Allen slid into the deep left midfield pocket, balancing Alberto Moreno and Dejan Lovren without the ball and offering an easy release when with it. With Mamadou Sakho out, it was the sometimes maligned Welshman who made incisive, pinging passes through the midfield to an attacker, allowing them to spin and square toward goal. More and more, he puts the attackers ahead of him on the front foot for the break.

Lovren Liability – Price tag aside, Lovren looks lost. Granted since his slow return to the side, the Croatian has been playing in a less familiar position, but given how badly he was playing before his spell out of the team, it remains difficult to see what exactly has improved. To his credit, the penalty miss did not seem a factor. Yet receiving more protection, from Moreno and Allen, and required to make fewer decisions on the right side of the back three, he continues to be an easy target. Manchester City certainly targeted him. If great players make those around them better, Lovren seems to make those around him worse. His play continues to be erratic, either dropping off attackers or leaving his feet in desperation. What is worse, he looks to blame first and take little responsibility, especially in working with Simon Mignolet. It all makes Sakho’s return even more urgent.

Cultivating a Captain – Only recently the gaffer dampened talk of Jordan Henderson succeeding Steven Gerrard as the Reds’ skipper. In a squad filled with players who have worn the armband for their national sides, not to mention the weight of the shirt, assuming the leadership role at Liverpool is no small leap.

However, Hendo put a marker down in today’s match toward that end. Solid and steady in tandem with Allen, Henderson helped overrun City’s more physical midfield with remarkable speed and technique. Last year, this was the fixture that found him reckless and punished, with Rodgers acknowledging his red card as the actual moment the title challenge slipped. This time, in a match of massive importance, the vice-captain not only remained composed in the frenzy but contributed his own Anfield heroics with his sumptuous 11th minute strike. Performances like this will only spark more comment.