Match Preview: Liverpool vs Man City on 3/10/2021
Follow all the action live as Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in what promises to be a thrilling Premier League fixture.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in six games and sat top of the table heading into the weekend, however, the head coach insisted that they are only the first steps in a long and hard-fought race to regain the title. “I’m not too much interested in a start or whatever, I just want to play the best season we can play,” he said. “For that, I don’t draw any line under a specific part of the season and say then, ‘So far, so good.’ It is so far, so good but just a few games in, so let’s carry on, please.” Nevertheless, the Reds are riding a wave of momentum, having thrashed Porto 5-1 in the Champions League, even if they will have to make do without Trent Alexander-Arnold this afternoon.
Liverpool boast a great record against Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield and, while City enjoyed a narrow victory over title rivals Chelsea last weekend, a 2-0 defeat against PSG in midweek drained some of the champions’ momentum. They remain favourites to defend their Premier League crown, though, having recovered well from their opening day defeat against Tottenham, with four wins out of their last five. Ahead of today’s match, Guardiola credited Klopp’s management as one of the reasons for his own success. “Jurgen Klopp’s teams helped me to be a better manager,” he said. “He put me on another level; to think about it, to prove myself, to be a better manager. That is the reason why I am still in this business.” Follow all the latest updates below:
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
34 mins: Chance! Foden finds himself in space down the left and flights a deep ball to the back post, where De Bruyne is arriving. The midfielder also found himself unmarked but he couldn’t keep his header down from eight yards.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 17:07
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
32 mins: Penalty? Foden breaks through on the left and is tripped by Milner and falls into the box. He tried to stay on his feet but nothing is given. It probably was a foul but if anything it was outside of the box anyway.
City again come down the left but Grealish is offside after curling a shot wide from a tight angle.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 17:05
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
31 mins: That’s the closest Liverpool have come! Dias and Ederson exchange a one-two, with the City goalkeeper returning the pass on his own goalline!
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 17:03
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
28 mins: Bernardo, Foden and Grealish look too quick for Liverpool’s midfield when they drop into central areas. More good play from the trio leads to Foden looking for Jesus with a pass, which Alisson is able to collect.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 17:01
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
26 mins: Robertson wins a couple of strong but fair challenges on halfway and that lifts the atmosphere inside Anfield – which like the team’s performance so far has been flat in the face of City’s play.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:59
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
25 mins: Van Dijk boots the ball clear and Dias is unable to win the ball ahead of Jota before he slips and hauls his Portugal team mate to the ground. It’s a booking for the City captain for the foul on the halfway line.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:58
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
23 mins: Chance! Cancelo picks up the ball in space on the left and is able to drift inside before finding De Bruyne’s run into the box. His shot flashes across the face and actually goes out for a throw, but that’s further encouragement for City who are on top here.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:56
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
22 mins: Robertson plays a nice ball down the left channel and releases Mane, but City are able to clear his ball into the box.
It’s been a flat 10 or so minutes from Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp does not look happy on the touchline.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:55
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
20 mins: Huge save from Alisson! It’s wonderful from Bernardo Silva – who beats three or four players in a magical run before slipping in Foden on the left. Alisson closed the angle and made the save with his body as Foden tried to lift the ball into the far corner.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:53
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
18 mins: Alisson passes directly to Bernardo, 40 yards from goal, before Jesus’ pull-back is cut out by Matip.
City play the corner short but Liverpool get out well and catch Foden offside as they looked to play the ball into the box.
But that’s a warning for Alisson following his mistakes in this fixture last season, which led to two City goals in the 4-1 win.
Jamie Braidwood3 October 2021 16:51
