It was always going to take a set of extraordinary circumstances for City to win at Anfield. It's been a horrible ground for us for so many years, and I've always felt that City, understandably given their record there, always seemed to play the game hampered by their own lack of belief. That, for me, was the reason why Mahrez took a dreadful penalty in the 0-0, and why Gundogan took a dreadful penalty today.
The extraordinary set of circumstances however aligned for us today. Liverpool in poor form, and especially struggling at home. No fans. Numerous injuries in defence, which has also impacted on their midfield.
And given the run City are currently on, if we couldn't win today given all the circumstances, god knows when we'd ever win at Anfield again in the future.
But we did win. It's a monkey off our back, and often all it takes is one positive result that can soon turn into two, three, etc positive results. We've seen it against other teams - Spurs notoriously had the beating of us for many years. When we broke that hoodoo, further wins against them quickly followed.
Cagey game today - as expected. Miss the penalty, score early in the second half. Liverpool get a contentious penalty (Salah made the most of it, which he is entitled to do I suppose, and to be fair, I can't complain about the decision). A tight offside call for City's disallowed goal. And then Liverpool going crazy in defence and losing the plot in a 5 minute period (what Allison did during that spell was just shocking).
Special mention has to go to Foden. And indeed Sterling. Foden's goal was a joy to see.
10 points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.
5 points clear of United with a game in hand.
Not bad at all.
It's taken long enough
posted on 7/2/21
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 4 minutes ago
I’m not sure it is squad depth as such (aside from the cb position), it’s as much your standout players aren’t at the level they were the last couple of seasons. Any of our previous games, that Mane header goes in and it can then turn into a very different game. As much as you aren’t creating as much as before, you’re also not as clinical either.
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Very true. I've lost count of the amount of times Firmino has passed it to the opposition keeper and Mane has been wasteful also. Salah has got his shooting boots back but he was also wasteful for several games. Missed an absolute sitter in first minute against Brighton however. Think we were one of the highest scoring from corners last season, if not the highest. That's obviously gone with all the central defenders getting injured.
posted on 7/2/21
Today,for us, was the perfect storm. There’s no other way to describe it.
Speaking of perfection, City was there, we weren’t.
Well done them.
posted on 8/2/21
Had a good feeling about today. And was justified for once 😂
Second half I thought we were absolutely brilliant. And not much else to add right now!
posted on 8/2/21
Loving how City fans have crawled out from under their rock. Gonna be a quiet time when United win the title in May!
posted on 8/2/21
I thought United had already won the title in January.
posted on 8/2/21
Refreshingly straight forward honest article.
posted on 8/2/21
I think city actually fell asleep form boedowm first half.
Guardiola schooled klopp yesterday. Every change made by pep was to win the game. 2 up forced those errors form alisson.
His subs moved foden and killed us.
Klopp took off a fresh 20 yearold and put in a 345 year old when then didn't run at all and when alisson needed an outball he was nowhere. (not excusing stupidity)
He took off thiago who didn't have much left but put on a right winger in midfield and we fell apart.
One man is thinking clearly and trying to win the game.
the other is not thinking clearly and not trying to influence the game.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 11 hours, 25 minutes ago
I’m not sure it is squad depth as such (aside from the cb position), it’s as much your standout players aren’t at the level they were the last couple of seasons. Any of our previous games, that Mane header goes in and it can then turn into a very different game. As much as you aren’t creating as much as before, you’re also not as clinical either.
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If i compare us to spurs.
When spurs game they got one break and son scored. We were incredibly lucky as an offisde was given. Son passed it into the net.
Spurs front two are lethal, its about the only thing spurs really have going for them.
We have mane as you say but his head has been down ALL SEASON, absolutely all season and he misses the target most of the time. give him 5 chances and he'll score 1. give son or kane 5 and they will maybe score a hat trick.
We all know it but accept it as they WERE dynamic and intense.
Last year we got 99 points but were not clincial. we probably missed 10 chances a game at times and won 2-0.
Its all about intent IMO. I don't see that drive. Thats what klopp needs to instill. Right now a big offer comes in for mane imo we should take it and rebuild. whoever that is. We won't get too many big offers
posted on 8/2/21
No ACON this year, you would have lost Mane for 6 weeks.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by moreinjuredthanowen (U9641)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 11 hours, 25 minutes ago
I’m not sure it is squad depth as such (aside from the cb position), it’s as much your standout players aren’t at the level they were the last couple of seasons. Any of our previous games, that Mane header goes in and it can then turn into a very different game. As much as you aren’t creating as much as before, you’re also not as clinical either.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If i compare us to spurs.
When spurs game they got one break and son scored. We were incredibly lucky as an offisde was given. Son passed it into the net.
Spurs front two are lethal, its about the only thing spurs really have going for them.
We have mane as you say but his head has been down ALL SEASON, absolutely all season and he misses the target most of the time. give him 5 chances and he'll score 1. give son or kane 5 and they will maybe score a hat trick.
We all know it but accept it as they WERE dynamic and intense.
Last year we got 99 points but were not clincial. we probably missed 10 chances a game at times and won 2-0.
Its all about intent IMO. I don't see that drive. Thats what klopp needs to instill. Right now a big offer comes in for mane imo we should take it and rebuild. whoever that is. We won't get too many big offers
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He’s had a few bad games and you turn on him
Lovely fans