Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City Match Report

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City Match Report

Liverpool’s first match of the season at Anfield could not have been any tougher than facing the Premiership Champions Manchester City.

Liverpool hoping for their first points of the season , after losing at West Brom last weekend in a disastrous 3-0 defeat.

Manchester City won their first league match 3-2 at home to Southampton last weekend.

Brendan Rodgers would be hoping for a response from his players after last weekend’s poor show.

The Team

Rodgers made a couple of brave decisions in his team selection for the visit of City, with the young Raheem Sterling making his full league debut.

Martin Skrtel was partnered in defence with Sebastian Coates, with Agger serving a suspension. Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson served as the full-backs.

Lucas, Joe Allen and Gerrard were deployed in the middle of the park with Borini out on the right with Suarez up front.

The Match

Gerrard set the tone with an effort just wide inside the first minute as Liverpool started on the offensive.

Moments later Liverpool was dealt a blow when Lucas had to be replaced by Shelvey after picking up an injury.

Liverpool made a lively start to the match and looked dangerous on the attack. Sterling created a great chance for Borini but he could only poke the ball wide of target.

Moments later Tevez looked to have given City the lead, but his effort bobbled of the post and into Reina’s grateful arms.

The game went from end to end in a pulsating match, with both teams going for it.

Then Gerrard whipped in a dangerous low cross from the right which was diverted over the bar by Kompany. Liverpool took the lead from the resulting corner when Skrtel smashed a header past Joe Hart from a Gerrard corner.

Liverpool almost doubled their lead when Borini played in Suarez, but he could only poke his effort wide.

City bounced back in the 62nd minute when a Tevez cross was deflected over the diving Reina at the near post, only to bounce off the surprised Kelly falling kindly to Yaya Toure, who swept the ball into the empty goal.

Minutes later Liverpool took the lead again when Suarez brilliantly curled a free-kick around City’s defensive wall and low into the corner of Hart’s goal.

Liverpool looked comfortable defending their lead until Skrtel passed the ball straight to Tevez who intercepted Skrtel’s attempted pass back to Reina, before rounding Reina and passing the ball into the Liverpool net.

It was a huge blow to Liverpool after a huge effort to overcome City, but they showed great character in their quest to find a third goal, and almost nabbed a winner but substitute Carroll’s headed effort was cleared off the line as both teams had to settle for a draw.

Summary

A terrific performance from Liverpool who should have taken all three points, but like last week , defensive mistakes proved costly.

Brendan Rodgers picked a very young but exciting team and his selection was proved right in the performance they produced.

So many great performances, but special mention to Raheem Sterling who showed no fear, and looked to run at defenders all day long. Joe Allen was immense , breaking up the play and his passing was superb as he never gave the ball away.

Disappointing not to take all 3 points, but so many encouraging signs for the future after this passionate and exciting performance.