Welcome to my blog! I'll be here after every Liverpool game this season, giving my thoughts and views on the game, my player ratings, and probably the occasional rant. Feel free to comment, share, or get involved via social media. You'll find me on Twitter as @MNunny91. All abuse and opinion is welcomed.
Sunday 10th November - Liverpool 3-1 Man City
Glorious. What a bloody glorious Sunday afternoon that was. After all the talk, all the hype, all the hyperbole and hysteria, this Liverpool team came up with all the answers yet again. All of them were absolutely sensational, to a man, against a team that turned up and played some eye-wateringly good football at times. There's so much to talk about, so much meat to chew, but what a huge result for us that is. Mentally, more than anything. It wasn't a title decider, far from it, there is so much football left to play and lets not forget, we've been here before. Time will tell, but today feels gargantuan. The acid test has been passed, with flying colours.
We didn't touch the ball for the first five minutes. Then suddenly, BANG. One handball appeal turned down, two passes later and Fabinho is smashing one past Bravo and Anfield is erupting. I said in my preview that I expected to be talking about VAR, and unfortunately, yet again it will dominate the headlines, rather than the epic game of football we've all just witnessed. And that, for me, is the biggest reason why this system must be scrapped. Football needs emotion, it thrives on it. Human error is also a huge part of sport, and life in general. VAR isn't stopping the complaints or the feelings of being hard done by, it is exacerbating them. What I will say, is that this perceived Liverpool bias that the internet has seemingly created, is complete and utter nonsense. We've had our fair share of VAR based fume. The 'foul' on Origi at Old Trafford. The Firmino offside armpit at Villa Park. Do not buy in to the anti-Liverpool brigade and their propaganda. It evens itself out over the course of a season.
Let's be honest, I am as biased as they come when Liverpool are involved, but it is handball against Trent. We have really got away with one there. We should be facing an early penalty, instead, 15 seconds later, we're 1-0 up. The finest of fine margins. I would have been furious, as City were, had the shoe been on the other foot, but I don't believe this Liverpool team would have reacted so poorly to the early adversity as City did. Before you could blink it was 2-0, and what a gorgeous goal it was. Trent with a 50 yard switch on his wrong foot, Robbo with the most invitingly perfect cross you could ever wish to see, and Salah making a difficult finish look like the most simple of tap ins. That goal was Liverpool at our absolute best. These full backs are a joy to behold, the best pair in world football for my money. Trent had a tough day at the office against Sterling defensively, but going forwards he's had a say on yet another game. Guardiola's system surprised me, I expected a plan of some kind in order to stop the supply from the full backs, but it never materialised. Angelino was isolated and positionally woeful, and we took full advantage. I said before the game whoever defended better would win the game, and despite City coming to Anfield and creating plenty of chances, we were far superior in that department.
I didn't think City played badly, far from it. They were a huge threat throughout the entire ninety minutes. It took some old fashioned, body on the line type defending from Lovren and Virgil to keep them at bay. That was a big difference for me, the desire for the men in red to throw themselves in front of a strike and take a hit in order to keep them out. I didn't see that from City, the first goal is a prime example. If that's Kevin De Bruyne lining one up from 25 yards, there is absolutely no chance that he would be allowed the time and space that Fabinho was to smash in the opener. For what it's worth, the keeper is absolutely blameless for that goal. I think Gary Neville was being extremely harsh on Bravo on commentary, it's such a pure strike of a football.
The front three were unplayable today. They are as good as it gets. So difficult to defend against, so clever in their shape and quick in their movement. We should cherish every moment of them being together in a Liverpool shirt, because they are remarkable. I have never seen ninety minutes pass by without one of them having a moment of individual magic, you just cannot keep all three of them quiet. City's back four never looked like they could cope, Laporte is such a big miss for them but he is only one player. I'm not convinced the result would have been any different with him on the pitch. Half time at 2-0, your team talk is all about getting that next goal. The first 20 minutes of the second period was the best I've seen from us this season. So calming, so clear in our thinking and decision making. Stamping our authority on the game and getting that decisive third goal. What a sensational ball in from Henderson that was. And to think the internet told me he can only pass sideways! Bernardo's goal did bring a slight sense of anxiety from the calmness and serenity that had preceded it, which says a lot about the quality of this City team that we have just defeated.
I think the Premier League has found it's new rivalry. This will now be the clash that everyone looks out for when the fixtures are announced at the start of the season. City have a problem with Anfield, that much is clear. Martin Tyler referenced Sergio Aguero's record of never scoring there about 40 times. There is a definitely a mental block for some of the City players. When you have bad memories such as the bus attack of last season, the heavy defeats of the past, it's impossible for them to not play on your mind, especially in such a cauldron of an atmosphere as it was today. There is no love lost on the pitch between these two teams. Gareth Southgate could have an interesting week with the England boys. Some counselling might be required. Gomez coming on and winding up Sterling was a particular highlight. It had all the ingredients of a derby game filled with hatred. The reaction of Guardiola after the game was that of a man under serious stress, he cannot find the solution to his Anfield puzzle.
So, an eight point lead over Leicester, nine over City. Is it over? No chance. It's only November, you'd be very naive to think that there won't be plenty more twists and turns to come, especially over the ridiculously busy christmas period. But, it's a huge result and a huge lead at this stage of the season. It's a lovely position to be in, but it will bring it's own pressures. We will be heavy favourites to go and lift that heaviest of monkeys off our backs in May, and that is the biggest bridge we will have to cross. But I have so much belief and confidence in this group of players, they are different, they know how to win. They are champions of Europe. Let's enjoy this win, refocus over the international break, and go to Palace with the same levels of intensity that we had today. And what a day it was! Try your best to survive the international break, and see you soon. Up the Reds!
Ratings
Big Ali - Such a calming influence, a colossus in between the sticks. Glue for hands, just makes every save look so simple, must be fantastic as a centre half to have him behind you. A huge presence. 8.
Robbo - What a cross for Salah, just absolutely phenomenal. A bit keen early doors, gave away some silly fouls, but settled into the game and did well against Bernardo on the whole. World class, there can be no denying it. 8.
Dejan - Excellent performance, really really good. Fantastic block on Sterling in the second half. Calm on the ball, City would have picked him as a potential weakness but he stood up and put in a great shift. 8.
Virgil - Might have done better with the header in the lead up to Bernardo's goal, but that apart he was at his dominant best. A leader, a huge player, very rarely fails to produce. 7.
Trent - Superb going forward, as always. Some trademark switches of play that really stretched City. Struggled defensively at times, Sterling got the better of him on a number of occasions. Should have pushed him far harder than he did in the first half. 7.
Fabinho - How good is this bloke? What a player. Absolutely sensational, barely put a foot wrong. Strong in position, tough in the tackle, and to top it off, smashed one in from 25 yards. Immense. MOM. 9.
Hendo - I thought he was outstanding for the hour he was on the pitch. Relentless work rate, made some clever runs into Angelino's channel to double up on their obvious weak link. The ball in for Sadio's goal is as good as you'll ever see. A real captains performance when many were calling for the Ox to start. 8.
Gini - Ran his socks off. Comfortable and composed in possession, strong and workmanlike off it. Really helped nullify the threat of De Bruyne. 7.
Salah - A constant threat, looked back to his brilliant best for the first hour. Really sharp, really quick, gave Angelino a proper roasting. Class finish, made it look ridiculously easy. 8.
Bobby - The heartbeat. The key to everything good that we do. Ridiculously unselfish and a constant menace. Work rate is better than any centre forward I've ever seen play the game. 8.
Sadio - Just a nightmare to defend against. The best player in the league, and possibly the world, on current form. You just knew he'd have his say, was never ever going to miss that header. 8.
Subs
Milly - Played for half an hour and I can't remember him touching it. Probably ran about 10k in half an hour though. 6.
The Ox - I said he wouldn't start, and it was the correct decision. His time will come, but for now, he remains Mr Midweek. 6.
Gomez - Should have planted a Zidane like headbutt on that little money grabbing, T-Rex impersonating shitebag and then turned up to England training tomorrow smiling like a Cheshire cat. 5.
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