Liverpool was a bit unlucky, but they also struggled to generate many chances in a 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
First Half
Alexis MacAllister and Virgil van Dijk came up with big clearances inside the first 10 minutes. However, a bad giveaway by Ibrahima Konaté led to a foul in the box. However, Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Erling Haaland's penalty to keep the match level.
Liverpool then began to enjoy longer spells of possession from that point, but they could not produce many chances. Mamardashvil came up with a big save later in the match, but he could not save Haaland's header in the 29th minute to give Man City a 1-0 lead.
Liverpool earned a corner in the 38th minute, and it appeared to pay off in a headed goal by Van Dijk, but Andy Robertson was judged to be impeding the goalie and thus offside. City got a deflected goal in stoppage time as Nico Gonzalez scored from the top of the box, as Liverpool trailed 2-0 at the half.
Second Half
The Reds got off to a much better start in the second half, earning a corner and a set piece within the first five minutes of the second half. They could not take advantage, though. A corner kick near the hour mark almost paid off in a goal in a goal from substitute Cody Gakpo, but he put the shot high.
Liverpool would rue those missed chances as Jérémy Doku's curling shot found the back of the net in the 63rd minute to put Liverpool in a 3-0 hole. Liverpool earned a corner in the 73rd minute, but it was cleared. Another corner came in the 75th minute, and a strike from Domonik Szoboszlai was saved.
The Reds kept pushing with another corner, and Salah put a shot just wide in the 78th. The Reds could not muster a serious threat the rest of the way, falling 3-0
Should Have Counted?
Even though Van Dijk's goal in the first half was disallowed due to offside. But the American commentary team, particularly former Everton keeper Tim Howard, believes the goal should have stood.
“Andy Robertson was ruled offside because he was in the eyeline of the goalie,” Howard said. “But he wasn't. He ducked down and stepped to the side. The goal should have stood.”
One And Done
Even if Van Dijk's goal had counted, Liverpool probably would have still lost. They only had one shot on goal. That was Szoboszlai's shot late in the second half. The offence has to be better than that against a team like Man City,
What A Save
Giorgi Mamardashvili kept the Reds in it with a save of Haaland's penalty. It's Mamardashvili's sixth penalty save of his career and only Haaland's third miss of his career.
LFC Globe Verdict
Liverpool had appeared to turn a corner with two straight wins, but the game today showed that the Reds still have a way to go to match the level of the top teams in the EPL. They can compete, as seen with the win this year vs Arsenal, but so far, the Reds have been too inconsistent.
Man Of The Match
Giorgi Mamardashvili. It's hard to give it to a field player with only one shot on goal. Not only did he save a penalty, but came up with two others for a total.
What's Next
Liverpool will have a long break to figure this out, as they don't play again until November vs. Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Goals
Man City
- Erling Haaland 29'
- Nico González 45+'
- Jérémy Doku 63'
Liverpool
-NONE-
Substitutes
Man City
- Savinho for Rayan Cherki 53'
- Omar Maroush for Jérémy Doku 74'
Liverpool
- Cody Gakpo for Hugo Ekitike 56'
- Milos Kirkez for Andy Robertson 56'
- Alexis Mac Allister for Curtis Jones 74'
- Joe Gomez for Conor Bradley 83'
- Federico Chiesa for Florian Wirtz 83
