Ian Doyle’s analysis following Liverpool’s Premier League matchup with Manchester City
Jurgen Klopp argues with referee Michael Oliver after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on March 10, 2024 (Image: Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Klopp’s calls are profitable.
Even in the best of circumstances, stopping the most dangerous attack in English football is a challenging undertaking.
Therefore, it wasn’t ideal that Liverpool, who had only started the defense twice before, faced Manchester City without four of their starting back five.
And boy, did it show during a nerve-wracking first half in which City threatened each and every time the home team went forward—which, given how frequently they coughed up possession, was often—and the Reds’ logical lack of understanding was exposed graphically.
The way the visitors eventually managed to get through, though, must have been extremely annoying. It’s one thing to be outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s fluid style of football, but it’s another to be tricked by a skillfully executed corner routine.
But eventually, Klopp’s big decisions started to pay off. In lieu of the injured Ibrahima Konate at center back, Jarell Quansah, who is preferred, emulated captain Virgil van Dijk’s calm play, which is quickly becoming his signature, to limit Erling Haaland’s opportunities to shoot. Compared to the blunted Norwegian, Salah had more touches despite spending an hour less on the field.
Conor Bradley was one of Liverpool’s best players in the first half. He was replaced by the outstanding Andy Robertson on the hour, which allowed Joe Gomez to redeem himself on the opposite flank after a very tough first forty-five minutes at left-back against Phil Foden. This was the game where Liverpool, if ever a team, learned on the job.
VAR repeats the action
Considering the amazing, high-caliber entertainment that Manchester City and Liverpool had just given, it seems out of place.
However, the discussion that centered on yet another extremely divisive refereeing call after the final whistle reflected a great deal about the protracted dispute over the use of VAR and the individuals tasked with putting the technology into practice.
When another appeared in the offing after City substitute Jeremy Doku planted his foot in Alexis Mac Allister’s chest in the final minute of injury time, Michael Oliver had already given Liverpool one stonewall penalty. Oliver said nothing was being done, and Stuart Attwell at Stockley Park agreed. The Reds were not very amused by the explanation for the call that was given later.
It will be interesting to see if Nottingham Forest’s frustration over the misplaced ball that caused them problems two minutes prior to the Reds’ victory last weekend is mirrored by the fallout from what may turn out to be a title-defining moment.
Liverpool has more grounds for grievance than their primary title rivals, despite the odd break in the bank, regarding crucial decisions made this season. In fact, referee chief Howard Webb later acknowledged that Martin Odegaard should have been given a penalty when he escaped a handball against Arsenal here in December.
But if anything has been demonstrated by the still-astonishing mistake made at Tottenham Hotspur in September, it is that Klopp’s team will continue. This season’s success has come from within, and it will continue to do so.
The title fight has just begun.
Inhale as well. There is a three-week break before Liverpool, City, and fellow title rivals Arsenal are next in Premier League action after they have been fighting since the beginning of the year.
Even though the Gunners now lead the Reds on goal differential, their next task is to play at the Etihad, the first challenging match of what looks to be a more challenging run-in than the other two championship contenders.
There are still poignant trips to Goodison and Old Trafford for Liverpool, so they will face key tests. They have only suffered two losses in their last 48 games in domestic competitions, but none will be as tough as the one they negotiated against City.
While in charge of Liverpool, Klopp has made sure Guardiola won’t be able to overcome him by winning eight of their 22 meetings and losing seven of them.
Although Luis Diaz’s missed opportunities will be regretted, the Reds’ tremendously impressive comeback in the second half proved they were here to stay. And this title fight is just getting started, with the cavalry still to return.
