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It’s a resounding result for Manchester City, who defend their title challengers from last season with resolute determination, securing a 3-1 victory against Liverpool.
It wasn’t their best game, but it didn’t need to be. Stevan Jovetic was the man with two goals, and in a blink, Sergio Aguero scored a third, before Pablo Zabaleta’s own goal gave Liverpool late consolation that amounted to little. It’s two from two for Manchester City.
Next up for Manchester City is against former manager Mark Hughes, whose Stoke City side visits the Etihad next week.
Liverpool remain on the road, as they meet high flying Spurs at White Hart Lane.
A lot to glean for Brendan Rodgers, as he realises his Liverpool side is a notch down from the quality required.
Mario Balotelli will come in next week, but a greater performance is required across all of Brendan Rodgers’ squad.
FINAL SCORE:
Manchester City 3
Liverpool 1
It’s the first blockbuster game of the 2014/15 English Premier League season, as champions Manchester City host runners up Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:45am (AEST).
If Manchester City feared the worst following Philippe Coutinho’s winner in the last meeting between these two teams in April, they could have scarcely imagined what transpired after.
A Steven Gerrard slip against Chelsea followed by defensive implosion at Crystal Palace cruelled Liverpool’s title chances last season, while a ruthlessly City capitalised by winning all their games following their Anfield defeat to seize glory.
When Manchester City only spend upwards of £50 million during any transfer window, it can be classed as a quiet summer. In contrast, Liverpool have spent in excess of £100 million, amassing eight new players, largely funded by the departure of Luis Suarez.
A ninth in former City troublemaker Mario Balotelli is imminent, although the Italian will not feature in a dream narrative return against his former club.
Despite the loss at Anfield in April, Manuel Pellegrini will have gleaned plenty about his opponents. Firstly, Manchester City will be wary of any fast Liverpool start. It was the sumptuous finish of Raheem Sterling that gave Liverpool their early lead at Anfield, which makes the youngster a marked man in this fixture.
With Suarez gone, Sterling will be the focal point of Liverpool’s buildup play towards former City youth Daniel Sturridge. As such, Pellegrini may opt to start his Brazilian defensive duo of Fernandinho and new signing Fernando. Another option for the Chilean is to use the determined James Milner to mark Sterling.
Despite the £32 million outlay on Eliaquim Mangala, it is unlikely Pellegrini will start with the Frenchman, instead opting for last season’s combination of Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis. While David Silva and Yaya Toure are virtual musts in the heart of any successful City side, the other question will be if the hosts begin with the duo of Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero. If not, Pellegrini is not short of options, with either Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic ready to assert themselves.
If Brendan Rodgers came within a whisker of Premier League glory three months ago with only 12 or 13 players, his problem may now be deciding who should start. Despite last week’s opening day win against Southampton, it was evident Liverpool may struggle without Suarez, while more than Dejan Lovren is needed to solve the Reds’ defensive woes.
Changes to the Liverpool team are likely to come in midfield, where the hesitant Lucas is likely to make way for either Joe Allen or new recruit Emre Can, while Rodgers will be tempted to jettison the misfiring Glen Johnson and select new left back Alberto Moreno.
Unlike last season, Liverpool may benefit from being able to call upon some handy substitutes – better than what Iago Aspas offered at the very least.
Recent history in this fixture has delivered thrillers, and this promises no different. Liverpool may thirst for empty revenge, but at home with their squad, Manchester City should have enough to see off a credible Reds threat.
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