Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
Before the game we talked about how important it was to plant a seed in the City players heads for the upcoming fixtures we have and could face against them. In the tunnel we looked focused and ready and their players looked a little less confident I felt. De Bruyne tapping Hendo on the arm to get a handshake and then looking round like a lost dog.. They definitely respect us and worry about us. It was up to us to install that fear..
Did this happen.. Maybe.. But not as obvious as in the way the game played out..
The Game:
In short De Bruyne who was always a threat as you would expect scored early after a quickly taken free kick led to a deflected goal off Matip (Sure it was the same story at home..). This was quickly forgotten as some great link up play freed Trent in the box to cut back for Jota who finished coolly. Jesus restored the lead from close range clipping one in off the underside of the bar and Mane levelled things up shortly after the break. A quality strike high into the top corner from a quick counter attack..
So Did We Plant A Seed:
Quite possibly yes so lets have a look at the positives and what we can learn. City took the lead twice and we came back at them and to be honest scored with ease. A bit more belief in this area could be vital. Having brought it back they know we never stop fighting and will see this as a lost opportunity to gain a huge advantage themselves.
Possession:
We lost or gave the ball away on numerous occasions. You can not do this against a Man City/Barca of old type team. I know they close down well but so do we so should use our knowledge of retaining the ball in these situations. Basic team set up and pass options sort this as well as the ball sticking with players when they receive it.
Defending:
Now this to me is the most easiest thing to put right. I lost count of how many through balls that split our defence and long balls that had us chasing their players back towards OUR goal.. We got battered with this at home and away against them. This is schoolboy basics that can easily be sorted with basic team set up and player instructions. Also STOP PLAYING OFFSIDES..
Offsides:
This is another thing that cost us deeply and led to their second goal. We never defend free kicks relying on a flag and the same goes from corners when we push out. Every time.. I personally would never play the offside trap unless the whole back line understands this well and VAR actually calls offsides right. The latter will never happen so just mark your men..
De Bruyne's Goal:
We started slowly which is fine but I felt the midfield were not at it against a team that dominates midfield. This was highlighted by this goal and to an extent the Jesus goal too. If Fabinho had stood on the ball the second the free kick was given they don't score. Simple.. The deflections just unfortunate as Ali had it well covered
Jesus Goal:
Now firstly I think 4 players in the middle of the penalty area ARE interfering with play.. Jesus was definitely onside and we had no intention of defending this properly. Virg for all his greatness was the last man coming out of the box for the Jesus goal. He could see everything and ran straight past the line leaving Matip playing everyone on. Trent saw this and had to stay in but didn't stop Jesus getting through easily.. Add to this no one was within a mile of closing down the cross and you're causing yourself unnecessary problems.
The Positives:
I'm not one for breaking down every passage of play because mistakes happen and lets face it we still haven't lost in the last 5 years.. This post was a message that with simple changes we can leave City in our dust. Simple changes that have hampered us against a lot weaker opponents and will certainly get us punished against stronger teams.
Most importantly for us though let's not forget there were some very good passages of play in the City game by ourselves. As in the home game against them. Our goals have all been well orchestrated team (Mane 2 & Jota 1) and individual goals (Mo 1). If we can defend better and learn from these errors then I think we beat them. We could keep a clean sheet against them which would more often than not lead to a win and more goals against them. Hopefully in the FA Cup..
Enjoy the photos..
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