Manchester City’s unbeaten record in the Premier League is now over after Pep Guardiola’s side lost 1-0 against rivals, Liverpool, at Anfield today.
The game began in a frenetic manner with neither team given a second to settle when in possession. It would take 15 minutes before we saw an effort on target, with Liverpool ‘keeper Alisson doing well to save a bouncing IIkay Gundogan volley from the edge of the area.
It would then be Liverpool’s turn to look dangerous, with Ederson forced to palm away an excellent cross from James Milner before the Reds’ other full-back, Andy Roberston, blasted over on the half-volley.
Much of the pre-match talk was about Erling Haaland and just after the half-hour mark Man City’s number nine came alive. Firstly he latched onto a ball in behind, but Alisson did well to palm down his chipped effort before the big Norweigan looped a header over the bar from six yards out.
Five minutes later Haaland could only power a header straight at Alisson after Kevin de Bruyne picked him out with a beautiful cross from his trademark inside right position.
Just after the break, Liverpool had a golden chance to take the lead when Mohamed Salah ran clean through on goal, although the Eygtian’s effort was turned around the post by Ederson.
In the 53rd minute, an already electric atmosphere within Anfield ratcheted up a notch when Phil Foden had a controversial goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up by Haaland on Fabinho.
Minutes later Diogo Jota was guilty of missing a sitter, with the Portuguese attacker heading over from a few yards out when he had been left entirely free in the area.
On 63 minutes Alisson was again called into action, this time the Brazilian got down well to his left to deny a Haaland effort from the edge of the box.
Despite having earlier missed the best chance of the game, on 76 minutes, Salah stepped up and showed why he is a truly world-class talent when he put his side ahead. Firstly Salah did brilliantly to both control a long pass from Alisson and spin Joao Cancelo all in the same movement before clinically stroking the ball past Ederson.
City poured forward in search of an equaliser but Liverpool defended valiantly and held out for a much-needed three points.
Erling Haaland blanks for the first time this season… ❌#FPL #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/ELoo1L35GR
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 16, 2022
Speaking afterward’s Pep Guardiola was obviously disappointed his side came out the wrong side of a hard-fought encounter.
“It was a tight game and anything could happen. We didn’t follow the movement of [Mo] Salah [for Liverpool’s goal],” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
Referee Anthony Taylor let today’s game flow, allowing plenty of physical contact, leaving Guardiola less than impressed that the officials decided to rule out Foden’s goal after consulting with VAR.
“The referee came to the coaches and said play on, play on,” Guardiola said. ”There were a million fouls. But after we scored a goal, he decided it is not play on. This is Anfield.
“We had [enough] chances. We had some fantastic chances.
“All the game we were brave, we played the game we should play and I don’t have any complaints or regrets over how we have done it.
“We had chances but not enough to do it. We made a good process to not allow them transitions. In general the back three was brilliant.”
