Well we lost this game 3-0, where in fact we dominated possession, and the play. That was by far the worst i've seen City - which is a credit to us, for reducing their game.
Their first goal was lucky; Kuyt stupidly lost the ball, sloppily, City got the ball to Aguero - may i add, by a beautiful first time pass from Silva. The shot was dipping very quickly and hit extremely hard - but a keeper of Reina's quality, should be saving that all day long.
Their second goal, was disappointing. We should have defended much better from the corner, especially after previously to that, Pepe was forced into a brilliant save only seconds before. When we played at Anfield, Kompany scored a very similar goal from the near post - after an identical cross, from Silva.
Their third was, was a sinking blow. We mess up a free kick - they break through the drive of Yaya Toure, and Skrtel slightly touches him in the box. It was a penalty, but he made a great deal out of it. He could have stayed on his feet - but he did purposely fall over, looking for it. Then the penalty was brilliantly dispatched by Milner - perhaps a couple of our players could learn from his excellent execution.
We played very well, better than City. We had Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi, Bellamy all missing from the starting 11. Those would have made a massive difference to our game, and would have probably gave us the cutting edge upfront.
We had plenty of possession, until we got 30 yards away from their goal - then we seemed to run out of ideas.
Our goalkeeper, made that vital mistake which cost us the first, and most decisive goal. He made a good save from the corner but as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, you're more than likely to cost your team a goal.
Enrique was very consistent once again, City never had the better of him defensively, and dealt with everything they gave very easily and effectively.
His offensive game was decent, but i do feel he can sometimes hold the ball for too long, which disturbs our attack, and slows it down. He never bombed down the wing like he usually does, but City did flood the wings with players, making it hard to find any space for a cross
Daniel Agger was our best player in my opinion. Never put a foot wrong, cleaned up anything City offered and his distribution was brilliant, as always.
His partner, Skrtel, was top class once again. He's really stepped it up this season, and he is finally looking like a world class defender. He and Agger kept Dzeko and Aguero quiet all throughout the game. The penalty he conceded was harsh, and very soft. There was minimal contact, at best. Although, he shouldn't have gave Toure the chance to fall and claim a penalty.
Johnson was quiet today, defensively was not too bad, but not great. Offensively he was quiet too, couple of strong runs in the first half, without the required final ball, sadly.
From the corner where they scored, Johnson shouldn't have let Yaya Toure get a run at him at the near post, he should have been much stronger, and aware of him. A mistake from Johnson which cost us a goal today.
Spearing was excellent, and probably our best midfielder too. He has shown a great character since coming back from his red card. Still went hard into every tackle, but they're timed perfectly.
His passing has greatly improved; he can take the ball from the defence, turn and make a brilliant and accurate pass straight to the winger's feet. He never seems to lose the ball either - such a really useful and very underrated player to have.
He was also the one who managed to get Gareth Barry sent off - through brilliantly winding up Barry.
Our poorest central midfielder, by far, was Charlie Adam. I think after the two poor performances against Wigan and Blackburn, coinciding with a penalty miss, an own goal has shattered his confidence - and he also looks shattered. Looks tired and is misplaying too many passes, also his ability to run with the ball has gone too.
Adam needs a few games on the sidelines. I'm glad Gerrard's back, but perhaps in the FA cup match, playing Shelvey instead, would be a good option.
Henderson impressed me today - i was expecting him to hide, but he didn't. He was demanding the ball, and played a few great passes. His first time through pass to Downing, which gave Downing a great 1v1 chance was unbelievably great. You won't see a better pass all season.
Only thing that disappointed me with those two - in the first half. Was Spearing was our defensive midfielder, giving cover so they can push forward. But both Henderson and Adam were way too deep. They were all like deep laying midfielders - it would give us much more options if one of them two pushed further 15 yards forwards, making late runs into the box. Giving Carroll more support in the box; the wingers more support, and options to pass too and if we lost possession, they could have a chance of collecting the ball. Just a lack of ambition from those two, to push forward and try to score has really disappointed me.
Downing was, pretty average once again. He never delivered any sort of decent cross for Carroll, he never really tracked back and he just seems to lack heart. He doesn't beat his man, and he always cuts inside - which makes it predictable for their defenders.
Kuyt was poor today as well. He made a sloppy pass which led to their first goal, he never created anything, never look dangerous. His biggest strengths: his grafting, and his goal poaching - have both deserted him at the moment and now he looks worse than ordinary. Great respect for him and the service he's gave Liverpool - but he needs to sincerely improve or he could be on his way out.
I think they both, let us down today. It was obvious our game plan was to get the ball wide, so they can cross it into Carroll as must as possible. Both didn't deliver enough balls for him to attack.
I thought Andy played decent today. He put a shift in, always tried getting in the box. His movement could have been perhaps better, when inside the box, but to be fair. He had no support through the middle, and he was playing against one of the best centre backs in the league, Kompany, who deservedly won MOTM.
He didn't get any quality service - i think one thing that doesn't help, is that the crosses into him have to be hit exactly perfect for him to have a chance of connecting with his head, the crosses are with pace and they're missing them too often. Just give a soft, floated ball into the box - and give big Andy a chance to attack the ball. Don't necessarily try a perfect whipped cross, because they're not getting to Carroll, properly or consistently.
I do think our entire game was involved against Carroll - which wasn't his fault fully, why it didn't quite work out. It was the fault of our wingers, and City's defence seemed to work out our plan and countered it very effectively. Towards the ladder stages of the match - there were 6 City plays in the box, and 1 Liverpool player, Carroll. We really need more bodies bursting a gut to get inside the box.
His touch looked good, secure, and he played the ball well, and neatly. Just never got the service, and not even the best can do well without quality service.
When Gerrard came on, it had an impact. He played some lovely balls down the channels and tried playing a few one-twos through a very heavily packed City's midfield. He was the only midfielder, trying to make forward runs, bursting trying to score and help the team get back in the match.
Bellamy made a big impact - he had a lot more penetration than Kuyt, offered pace down the left. Put a couple balls into the box - not trying to be too fancy with the crosses, nice medium powered cross which gave Carroll a chance to attack the ball. He had a nice shot from range which forced the keeper to save where Maxi should have done better with the rebound.
We has plenty of possession, but lacked that penetration to score and the cutting edge. City didn't have many more chances then us - it's just that they were more clinical - although that's why we're 6th, and they'e top. They've been more clinical then us all season.
Although, we can't continue to be as toothless as we are, and Dalglish said exactly that in his post-match interview. We need to take our chances.
The positives are:
We controlled a match against City - home and away.
Our defensive looks solid, once again.
Henderson's best game in my opinion - really looked a lot more confident and he's going to become a top player.
Gerrard's impact is immense, and hopefully he's edging his way ever closer.
We had some good chances in the match, if Downing had scored at the beginning of the match; i believe we would have held on, and at least have got a draw. We'd be playing into our strengths, defending deep, with a quick counter attack. We seem to play better when we counter.
Overall, i'm not happy with the defeat. But the performance was promising, and we'll never play them again this season. The lads showed great heart and kept pushing for a goal all along, and the fans were brilliant.
We won't be the only side to lose at the Eithad stadium, and we're only 3 points off 4th.
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