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Liverpool took on Manchester City and this is a true test for Pep because he has never won at Anfield. Both teams needed a win because a win for Liverpool will get them into the frame again after a series of bad results while City would want a win too so they can extend their lead at the top of the table.
It was a perfect time for City to visit Anfield because of the lack of form that Liverpool players have been on. Another opportunity for Sterling to face his former club, Liverpool. He scored at home against Liverpool last season where City won 4-0 and at that time Liverpool were champions already.
Both teams played with mutual respect for each other and were just passing the ball around with no real attack in the first opening exchanges. They had a series of attacks but nothing came out of them. The first 23 minutes were eventless.
In the 24th minute, Alexander Arnold managed to keep the ball in with nice footwork. He crossed the ball to Mane who couldn't keep his header down. Mane should have done better there. In the 29th minute too, Dias couldn't clear the ball well and it fell to Firmino at the edge of the box and he brilliantly produced a shot that was saved for a corner kick by Ederson.
In the 36th minute, Fabinho gave away a penalty. Sterling was clever with it. He dazzled and best Arnold only for Firmino to stick his leg out. The referee didn't waste any time to point to the spot. Gundogan, who has had 7 goals in 10 games stepped up to take it but he shockingly missed it. It was surprising to see that miss considering the good form he has been lately. It was a huge relief for Fabinho.
The half time came and it was a tight game with nothing to separate the two teams. Really not quite as exciting as anticipated. Liverpool had better chances save that penalty.
In the 49th minute, a brilliant Tiki Taka move released Foden and he had a shot that was saved but the ball fell to Gundogan who had to make up for his earlier miss by guiding the ball home beautifully. City went ahead with 1-0.
Arnold had a long ball to Curtis Jones and he was brilliant to get into the box, cuts in but his effort was deflected for a corner kick but in the 62nd minute, Reuben Dias pulled Salah in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Salah took it and made no mistake as Gundogan. The goalkeeper went the wrong way and it was 1-1. Ederson finally conceded a goal after such a long spell.
In the 73rd minute, Alisson made 2 huge mistakes in a row but the second one caused him trouble because the tame clearance fell to Foden who dazzled into the box, picked out Gundogan for an easy tap in. 2-1.
3 minutes after, Alisson made another mistake when he gave the ball away to Bernado Silva who lifted it for Sterling and he headed it home. 3-1 and at this point, there is no coming back for Liverpool.
Foden rounded up the rout and got a goal for the effort his brilliant performance deserved in the 82nd minute. He scored brilliantly from a closed-angle. It was sensational. He received a long ball, lost his marker with a brilliant-cut in and released a thunderous strike. 4-1.
Liverpool has now lost 3 consecutive games for the first time since 1963. They have also gone three and a half years unbeaten at Anfield and now they have lost 3 times in a row.
This isn't the season Liverpool dreamed of and would be glad to have it end quickly. It has been a nightmare season and hopefully, they can revive this season before it ends. They are still in 4th position.
Manchester City looked like they are running away with the title as they are 5 points clear of United still with a game in hand. United has been unpredictable with results too and should have been up there with City if not for inconsistency in their results, the latest of that being a 3-3 draw with Everton after racing to a 2-0 lead before being pegged even. They led again only for a 95th-minute equalizer that felt like a win for Everton and a defeat for Manchester United.
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Excellent article