Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City Review

Premier League GW25

Since Guardiola arrived at Manchester City, he has only beaten Liverpool at Anfield once, back in 2021, but every one of those games has brought its own version of madness and entertainment. This wasn’t lacking in that regard either. It was a look at what the new version of the team could be, more signs of where the team needs to improve, and at another tough away ground. They’ve shown the intangibles.

MOTM: BERNARDO SILVA

Bernardo Silva was back from injury and captained Manchester City to a win at Anfield. Scored the equalising goal, created 2 chances, and made the most box entries (4). This has always been a fixture he’s performed well in, but the moment of the goal, and then instructing the team to push for another, not celebrate, is why it’s one of his best in a City shirt.

Plays the ball through for the opening big chance Haaland has, recovering the ball across the pitch, and chipping the ball over the top for Nunes when he wins the penalty late in the game. He popped up in all areas, all phases, and covered the most distance of any player. The key to the central pressing that gave the team a foundation to dominate the first half.

Other standout performances include: Marc Guehi, Rodri, and Erling Haaland

Notable Stats:

• Liverpool were leading up to the 83rd minute against Manchester City (1-0), with this the latest they have ever led in a Premier League game at Anfield and gone on to lose (1-2).

• Rodri made a game-high 14 line-breaking passes in Man City's victory, with this the most by an away player at Anfield in the Premier League during Arne Slot's time in charge.

• In his fourth Premier League appearance at Anfield, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland netted his first goal there in the competition – he's now scored at 23 of the 24 grounds he has played at in the competition, failing only at the Stadium of Light.

• Liverpool have conceded four 90th-minute winners in league matches this season; already the joint-most by a team in a single Premier League campaign, after Watford in 2017-18, West Ham in 2021-22, Watford in 2021-22, and Southampton in 2024-25.

Game Stats:

Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City

• xG: 1.21 - 2.75

• xThreat: 1.34 - 1.43

• Possession: 46.9% - 53.1%

• Field Tilt: 53.0% - 47.0%

• Penalty Box Shots: 8 - 9

• Deep Entries: 15 - 15

• PPDA: 11.2 - 6.5

• High Turnovers: 1 - 4

Manchester City has not lost a game since Matheus Nunes returned to the starting lineup.

Liverpool (A) was the first game that Haaland, Marmoush, and Semenyo all started together this season.

82.2% buildup completion by Manchester City against Liverpool, their 3rd lowest percentage in a match this season.

4 high turnovers leading to a shot for Manchester City against Liverpool, their highest total forced in a Premier League match this season.

If you want to stay up-to-date on individual player minutes, back four combinations, underlying numbers, and more, check out the live Google sheet below. 👇

In possession for the first half, once they progressed the ball past the Liverpool press, you saw both full-backs able to push up, holding the width. On the left, giving the space for Ait-Nouri to dribble down the line, Marmoush could pin Szoboszlai to allow that progression, as well as occupy the space around Konate, preventing him from doubling up on Haaland.

On the right side, Semenyo moved inside and posed questions about which Liverpool player was tracking him. MacAllister has Silva nearby, Kerkez has to keep track of Nunes down the line, and VVD is pinned by Haaland.

In the buildup, they aimed to bait the Liverpool press, pulling up the midfielders, and leaving the likes of Marmoush, Haaland, and Semenyo 1v1. When they keep the +1 on the backline, Manchester City can find the freeman to play through the press before connecting to the front line.

Central press from Manchester City, like we saw in the game at the Etihad, with Haaland sitting on the right side with VVD, and Silva splitting the pivots, and closing one down once the ball is shifted to one side. O’Reilly jumps to press Szoboszlai and allows Ait-Nouri to track Salah.

The best chance of the first half fell to Erling Haaland (2’), which is partly indicative of his form this season, and also Kerkez did very well to limit his options. Khusanov's (9’) header from the corner missed. More balls into the box from Rodri and Silva to Haaland. Ten shots in total, four were blocked, and six were inside the box for the team in the first half. On the flipside, only three shots by Liverpool in the first half between Salah (26’, 28’) and Ekitike (31’). Two blocked and one missed.

The setup worked, causing plenty of confusion for the opposition about when to be M2M and when to keep the +1 on the backline. The team created several chances and limited Liverpool well, but the front three needed to do better once inside the box, and that’s all that stopped Manchester City from leading by one or two at half-time.

No personnel changes from either team at half-time, but Liverpool cleared up their confusion and went M2M with Manchester City. From the beginning of the second half to the 75th minute, you saw some similar issues in previous games. Namely, as Guardiola mentioned post-match, the front three were not able to win their duels, pose a threat, and instead left Liverpool to continue pushing. Two of their chances in that period come from winning the initial long ball back before progressing into the box.

Delivery is another aspect of Donnarumma, as some were on the wrong side for Marmoush to win. Neither he nor Semenyo is close to Haaland to win the flick on on a few occasions. You also have the instances where Manchester City did manage to attack Liverpool in behind, like the ball for Marmoush from Semenyo, which he avoids the contact. If you don’t seize one of these moments, you’ll continue to invite the opposition to press you hard M2M.

Ekitike (56’) chance via fast break was missed, Wirtz had a shot blocked (65’), and Salah had a penalty claim, which only resulted in a yellow card. Outside the box, and Dias is already moving across to cover, so a correct decision, in my opinion. You also have in the period, Khusanov came off due to concussion protocol. Dias and Cherki (61’) come on for him and Marmoush.

D. Szoboszlai 74’ 1-0
It’s not a foul, but that aside, this was an exceptional free-kick from Szoboszlai to give Liverpool the lead. Little complaints with how well he’s struck the ball, and the swerve takes it right into the corner away from Donnarumma. If he adds another player to the wall, he’ll go around, and Szoboszlai has scored that way against Arsenal.

After the goal, Liverpool stepped off the gas, and Manchester City pushed to get back into the game. Not making a change to help retain possession in the midfield better, and not pressing high with the same intensity either.

From half-time until the opening goal, Liverpool completed 120 passes to the 58 of Manchester City. 177 touches to 97.

From the opening goal until the end of the game, Manchester City completed 138 passes to 91 of Liverpool. 205 touches to 147.

B. Silva 84' 1-1
Rodri lays the ball off to Cherki before making a run into the box, who lofts the ball into the middle of the box. Haaland, starting from the back-post side, arrives in the middle to flick the ball on for Bernardo Silva to volley. Played onside by Szoboszlai.

You’ll also note that it’s five, with Ekitike coming back, Liverpool players around the three City players on the ball. That drop off in the final minutes of intensity left the door wide open for Manchester City.

Having the likes of Haaland, O'Reilly, and Semenyo inside the box to compete for crosses is not something you would see often in previous seasons of Manchester City, but it does mean a player like Bernardo Silva can go unmarked and arrive first to the ball.

After this, Bernardo Silva did not celebrate; he got the ball and headed to the centre circle. That sent a clear message to the group, as he spoke about after the match, along with Guardiola, that we’re here to get the next goal and win the game.

Curtis Jones (85’) came on for Gakpo in what felt like a move for Liverpool to try see out the draw, and probably a move they should have made after scoring the opening goal.

E. Haaland 90'+3 (Pen) 1-2
Nunes plays a 1-2 with Silva, laying it off and left free to make the run behind the midfield and defensive line. A sequence we've seen between Nunes and other players throughout this season.

Haaland and Semenyo occupy and prevent the two central defenders from coming across to support. Arrives at a chipped ball over the top, and Alisson concedes the penalty as he comes out to sweep.

After Erling Haaland missed a penalty against Liverpool (H) earlier in the season, he changed the routine and has scored all four since.

Initial quick steps, slight delay as he watches the keeper, and then takes the strike. Given he's got no issue generating the power, taking a penalty this way prevents a keeper from reading and going early.

A couple of more changes from either side as Chiesa came on for Kerkez (90’+4), Nathan Ake (90’+6) came on for Semenyo. Another forward for Liverpool to push for the equalising goal. For Manchester City, another central defender to deal with balls into the box in the closing minutes.

Donnarumma makes a save (90’+9) to secure Manchester City the three points, and one few can pull off. The ball falls nicely for MacAllister to strike on the half-volley, taking a deflection off the back of Dias, and still, he readjusts and makes the save.

Cherki (90’+12) manages to bring down the ball, flicked on by Silva after he picks it up off Alisson. Plays the pass in behind for Haaland that eventually rolls into the goal. Szobosozlai fouls him, then Haaland pulls his shirt as the two try reach the ball. Since the referee played advantage, he pulled it back for the original foul of denying a goal-scoring chance, and sending him off. With Sunderland away from home next, it’s a suspension Liverpool would have wished to avoid.

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Moving Forward

There is still plenty that this team needs to improve on. Especially with the forward line in this game winning their duels, and the setup playing over the opposition press. Recognising and creating the space. The delivery by Donnarumma. The decisions of when to take risks with those passes. Then, once you arrive in those positions, take advantage, as Guardiola mentioned after the match. If you pose no threat to a team pushing M2M, then you give them no reason to stop. The role of Semenyo in possession, moving inside in the first half, got into a few great positions, but couldn’t execute the pass into the box. Like with Doku this season, I think we’ll see him take big steps forward in those positions over the next couple of months. Plenty to improve.

As I mentioned at the very beginning, though, the team showed the intangibles like they did against Real Madrid and found a way back into the game. They showed the courage to play at Anfield in the first half despite all the changes in that team over the last year. The personalities that Guardiola asked to see showed up.

Now we’re back to the same question as in previous weeks. The quality is there for all to see in moments. The new players are far more settled, and the options are returning from injury. They’ve got to put the performances together consistently across two halves, and in consecutive games, in order to stay in the hunt for the title. There is no doubt this win will provide a lift to the players, but it’s up to them whether they build on it.

Marc Guehi made the joint-most defensive actions (13), clearances (7), and passes into the final third (12) for Manchester City against Liverpool. 2 interceptions and 3 shots blocked. 3/4 aerial duels won.

This was the experienced and composed defender the team was looking for, replacing Nathan Ake and John Stones. Despite moving midseason and all the details to pick up playing under Guardiola, he’s handled it well and showcased his qualities against Liverpool. The shots blocked, defending 1v1 with Ekitike inside the box, and stepping up to make the interceptions on the halfway line.

Not rushing back Ruben Dias and starting Khusanov speak to the confidence they’ve got in him and the performance followed up until his substitution. He’ll now miss the next game due to concussion protocol, but he’s taken a huge step forward across these recent games with Dias out injured.

This was a huge moment, not only for the team but also for Erling Haaland to deliver with all the pressure on his back. To his credit, post-match, he’s spoken about the performances lately not being good enough from him, and that he’s got to do better. This winning goal, the assist for Silva, is the moment he needs to build on over the next run of games.

Final mention goes to our two left-backs. Ait-Nouri didn’t have his best moment in Norway, nor has his start to Manchester been smooth, through injury and being away at AFCON, but he’s stepped up in recent weeks and deserves all the credit for the progression he provides down the left side. In time will become more of a threat to score from those positions in the box, and give Haaland more deliveries into the box.

O’Reilly puts in another performance that shows you next season, he’s on track to become a regular in midfield. The development he’s made since the Community Shield game against United last season has been nothing short of remarkable. Along with Nunes, both are on track to represent their countries at the World Cup.

Next up for Manchester City is Fulham (H) on the 11th of February at 19:30 (UK time). As we’ve learned throughout the seasons under Guardiola, when you pick up a huge win away from home, it doesn’t matter if you can’t follow up in the next one. The team keeps the gap to six points, beating Fulham reduces it to three ahead of Arsenal playing Brentford (A) on Thursday evening. An opportunity to put the pressure on.

It’ll be a quick return to the Etihad for Oscar Bobb, who came off the bench for Fulham in their last game against Everton. In the Premier League, Fulham are in 10th. Have only won two of their last seven Premier League games. Away from home, it’s only three wins against West Ham, Burnley, and Tottenham.