Manchester City defeated the reigning champions at the Etihad, handing Liverpool their fifth defeat of the Premier League season in just 11 games. After missing an early penalty, Erling Haaland put the home side ahead on the half-hour mark, before Virgil van Dijk’s goal was harshly canceled out.
Nico Gonzalez’s deflected drive just before half-time put the Reds ahead, before man of the match Jeremy Doku curled a superb shot into the top corner to make it 3-0. The result all but ended Liverpool’s hopes of defending their title. Despite defeating the Gunners at Anfield in August after they drew with Sunderland on Saturday night, they remain eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Express Sport rates and predicts Liverpool players…
Liverpool vs Man City player ratings
Giorgi Mamadashvili – 7
He was unlucky to give away a soft penalty but made up for it with a great penalty save before denying Doc. I couldn’t do anything for any of my goals.
Connor Bradley – 5
It was a tough assignment against a tricky Doc, but the first 45 minutes generally went well. The second half wasn’t so great, but he almost forced an own goal with a dangerous cross and then fired again moments later to create a great chance for Kodi Gakpo. I made a reservation.
Ibrahima Konate – 3
A terrible mistake gave Man City a penalty when they didn’t need to intervene, and then Haaland’s header went into the goal when he should have defended it better. The third goal was no match for Doc. It was a terrible night for the French.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
The goal was called off very harshly, and then City’s second shot was shot off his heel, with no attempt to block the shot.
Andy Robertson – 5
He crossed to Matheus Nunez too late and was unable to block the cross towards goal. In an incredibly harsh decision, it was decided that Van Dijk’s header had gotten in the way of Donnarumma, who had his shot disallowed. Subtitles are added at 56 minutes.
Ryan Gravenbirch – 5
Liverpool didn’t have enough authority to need him in a battle with Nico Gonzalez. I lost too many duels.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
It wasn’t his best game on the ball, barely winning the duel on the ball and not being able to close down Doc for a third goal. I made a reservation.
Mohamed Salah – 6
He was Liverpool’s most involved attacker and tried to influence the game in the second half, but was ultimately just a pale shadow of last season’s Salah. He took a big hit late in the game when he should have scored, and was ruled offside in the fourth inning.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
He was Liverpool’s best player this season, but he didn’t perform to the same standard here. In the closing stages, Donnarumma forced a good save and allowed Liverpool’s only shot on target. I made a reservation.
Florian Wirtz – 4
Like Robertson, he could have done more to stop Nunez’s cross. He worked hard off the ball, but there were very few moments where he could do any damage on the ball. He just managed more touches than Mamadashvili.
Hugo Ekitike – 4
I barely got involved and when I did, it was below average. With just 11 touches, he was caught in one of Liverpool’s weakest games to date.
substitute
Milos Kerkes (Robertson 56) – 5
Nothing could change the game in Liverpool’s favor.
Kodi Gakpo (Ekitike 56) – 5
After appearing, he has a great chance to cross the bar.
Curtis Jones (Mac Allister 74) – N/A
By the time he appeared, the match was already over. I made a reservation.
Joe Gomez (Bradley 83) – N/A
Federico Chiesa (Wirtz 83) – N/A
