Liverpool versus Manchester City: The glass-half-full review

So the mighty Reds have come unstuck at Etihad Stadium, once again falling short while attempting to tame the big blue monster on their own turf.

Fans from notorious arch-rivals are taking to social media to dismiss not only Liverpool’s title aspirations but also their top four claims…

After allowing 24 hours for the emotion from the Manchester City fixture to pass and to assess the views of fans and media alike, I have come to the following conclusion.

Liverpool’s season is still on track!

Yes the result was disappointing however as Brendan Rodgers explained in his press conference, compared to the results of last year’s fixtures against City and Southampton we are three points to the good.

Liverpool travelled to Manchester with high hopes of coming away with at least a point against the champions and for the majority of the first half had control of the game, possession wise at least.

During my preview of this fixture I wrote about the need for the Reds to negate the impact that Yaya Toure and his midfield colleagues would have and as half time approached this objective had been achieved.

What had impressed me also was Philippe Countinho and Raheem Sterling’s work off the ball in tracking back and covering the forward advances of Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy respectively.

Rodgers had set up his team to force City wide by constricting the space between his back four and keeping the midfield trio of Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard nice and compact while attacking with pace and intent while in possession.

A lack of urgency by Debutant Alberto Moreno, who looked so impressive early, however allowed Stevan Jovetic to lash home the opening goal and at the same time deal the Reds an almighty confidence blow heading into the half-time interval.

The second goal from City on first viewing looked some what unstoppable until after further scrutiny showed a simple error that in fairness was just as amateur as that demonstrated by Moreno for Jovetic’s opener.

This time however it was Countinho, having tracked the run of Zabaleta, that had found himself in the left back position as Moreno followed Samir Nasri’s movements wide. Instead of holding his position Countinho carelessly moves up field and Jovetic plays a beautiful back heel into the space vacated by Countinho, obviously we know the result of this indiscretion – 2-0 City.

Enter Lazar Markovic, the shining light on a dark and moist Manchester evening. Markovic’s first touch was to release Moreno down the flank and had he squared to Daniel Sturridge, a Liverpool fight back may have gained some valuable momentum.

Markovic continued to perform admirably on his first competitive appearance providing some real testing moments for the City defensive unit. Unfortunately the next player to enter the fray also had an immediate impact, with Sergio Aguero scoring the third.

I would argued that Dejan Lovren should have intercepted the pass from Jesus Navas to Aguero, and if you have had the pleasure of listening to ex-Reds linchpin Jamie Carragher’s assessment, then you would probably agree with my view here.

Three clinical strikes coupled with three defensive mishaps by a new look Liverpool back four that will come under further scrutiny after this performance.

Alright now the negatives have been highlighted, it would be appropriate to look at why Liverpool supporters should remain positive about this campaign.

First and foremost Rickie Lambert once again entering the action late to provide another attacking threat, much like his involvement against Southampton Lambert provider a different option and this was highlighted by his header that led to the Zabaleta own goal.

Had Sturridge been able to finish shortly after then City would have faced a nervous final 5-6 minutes. Secondly, as highlighted earlier, Liverpool lost the corresponding fixture last season only to strengthen afterwards and obviously mount a serious title challenge.

Marion Balotelli’s arrival will provide another spark and go some way, although not entirely replacing, to soften the blow that was Luis Suarez’s departure to La Liga. Brendan Rodgers’ ability to always find the positives in negative performances, at least in the public eye, goes a long way to keeping the wolves at bay.

The injury to Glen Johnson may well see an extended run for Javier Manquillo, Johnson again was very poor Monday evening. Also as mentioned earlier the performance of Lazar Markovic was impressive and he surely will come into contention to start at White Hart Lane this weekend.

Over the opening weekends Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United have dropped points. And most importantly, it’s only the second game of the season!

So I may have opened myself up for criticism by those who have taken the ‘half glass empty’ view from the City defeat. However, come Sunday when Liverpool return to Premier League action against undefeated Tottenham, I predict a few of those rival supporters who so quickly pointed out the agony ahead for “Scousehampton” this season may well be silenced by a determined Reds outfit hell bent on proving the doubters wrong once again.

In the words of Steven Gerrard “We Go Again”.