It was a battle between two teams in two different races, Manchester City challenging for the title, Liverpool challenging for the coveted fourth champions league spot. Liverpool dominated early, only to concede the opening goal to a Manchester City counter attack, something familiar to visiting team this season. Brendan Rodgers men reacted well, continuing to control possession, and eventually drawing level courtesy an incredible strike from Daniel Sturridge from all of 22 yards outside of goal. We witnessed an end to end contest of two great teams, playing some great football, with some individual brilliance sprinkled into the mix, a definite candidate for match of the season.
It was a good week for Liverpool; Rodgers will be pleased with his team gaining two points from two of the toughest away venues in the league this week, whereas Roberto Mancini will be upset his team couldn’t gain ground on league leaders Manchester United. Rodgers made one change, bringing in the fit again Jose Enrique for Andre Wisdom, Man City meanwhile were missing captain Vincent Kompany to injury, and the Toure brother to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The game got off to a fast start, with David Silva’s long range volley forcing Pepe Reina to punch over the Liverpool net. Liverpool reacted well with some swift counter attacking play, only to see City go ahead through Edin Dzeko in the 23rd minute. It was a sight all too familiar to Liverpool, dominating possession only to give up a scrappy goal out of nowhere. Liverpool reacted well, sticking to their mantra of possession football, spreading the ball about the ground. They leveled up through Daniel Sturridge on somewhat controversial terms. Edin Dzeko appeared to be fouled by Daniel Agger outside of Liverpool’s penalty area , while Liverpool played to the whistle like any team would, Man City appeared caught in the moment complaining to referee Anthon Taylor. Liverpool took advantage of this, bombarding down the field into Man City territory, Javi Garcia’s clearance landed right at Steven Gerrard’s feet. Gerrard quickly laid the ball onto Daniel Sturridge, who fired in a low drive, just beating Joe Hart inside his left post. Liverpool continued with a high pressure assault on the champions, forcing Zabaleta into a back pass that caught Joe Hart wrong footed, and almost ended up in the back of the City net. Half time came as a relief to the champions.
The second half started much the same, Liverpool starting strong, dominating possession and creating a few chances. Their dominance would be rewarded. The reds took the lead through something out of Steven Gerrard’s top drawer. The talismanic midfielder picked the ball up all of 25 yards outside of goal, and smashed in a low drive past Joe Hart in the city net. It looked as if it was going to be Liverpool’s day, it would have been, but for a moment of brilliance from Sergio Aguero. A defensive mix-up between Martin Skrtel and Pepe Reina, gifted the ball to Aguero five yard from the by line, the striker then chipped a perfect ball into the far side of the net leveling the score up at 2-2. The game could have gone either way in the last 10 minutes, a chance fell to city from a corner, only for Maicon to head over. Daniel Sturridge had an opportunistic shot from 20 yards saved by Joe Hart.
More than anything, this game was a statement of intention from Liverpool, their dominance was shown by keeping City to a season low 78% pass completion at home, while keeping 56% of possession, City did well to earn a draw. Brendan Rodgers will once again rue Liverpool giving away a late lead, but two points out of two away games at Arsenal and Manchester City can only be seen as an advance in the clubs march to a top four finish.
Player Ratings
[one_half]
Manchester City:
Joe Hart; 5/10
Pablo Zabaleta; 6/10
Matija Nastasic; 5/10
Joleon Lescott; 6/10
Gael Clichy; 5/10
James Milner 7/10
Javi Garcia; 5/10
Gareth Barry; 6/10
David Silva; 7/10
Sergio Aguero; 7/10
Edin Dzeko; 6/10
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Liverpool:
Pepe Reina; 5/10
Glen Johnson; 7/10
Daniel Agger; 6/10
Jamie Carragher 7/10
Jose Enrique; 6/10
Steven Gerrard; 8/10
Lucas Leiva; 7/10
Jordan Henderson; 6/10
Stewart Downing; 5/10
Luis Suarez; 7/10
Daniel Sturridge; 9/10
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