1 Manchester City
4 Liverpool
by James Nalton
at the City of Manchester Stadium

FOLLOWING an international break which featured a World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil, a Brazilian double act wreaked havoc at the City of Manchester Stadium against Argentine defender Martin Demichelis in a comprehensive away win for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Demichelis’s compatriot Sergio Aguero showed a glimpse of his own world-class ability, but the centre back and his defensive partner Eliaquim Mangala were given a torrid time by Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.

City’s troubles began when Coutinho won the ball from Bacary Sagna high up the pitch. He then played a through-ball to Firmino whose dangerous cross hit Mangala who couldn’t sort his feet out in time to do anything other than fire it past Joe Hart.

The “i” “n,” and “o” keys were being worn out on many a reporter’s keyboard as the pair ran riot and it wasn’t long before the Brazilian duo set about finishing City off.

A mix-up between Demichelis and Mangala presented Firmino with a chance to attack down right and he played a perfect ball to Coutinho who tapped in first time through Hart’s legs.

Shortly after, an ingenious back-heel from Emre Can sent Coutinho through and he returned the favour for his Brazilian teammate to score his first Liverpool goal.

Aguero scored a brilliant consolation goal for the Blues from nothing, but his side lacked ideas despite a double substitution at half-time. Fabian Delph and Fernandinho came on for Yaya Toure and Mangala, but their team’s play lacked quality.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini said “It was difficult to understand why we played so badly. Defending, attacking, in possession; I’ve never seen this team play in the way we did tonight.” The Chilean described the game as “a complete disaster for the whole team.”

Liverpool secured the win when Martin Skrtel half-volleyed a shot into the net with so much power that a team of goalkeepers wouldn’t have been able to stop it.

With the stadium half empty, the away fans reminded their former player Raheem Sterling of the scoreline as his side drop to third while Liverpool move up to ninth.

Post-match, Jurgen Klopp encouraged his players to have belief. “We can do better than tonight. We can defend better. We can start to believe in our own strengths. At half time the lads were surprised they were in the lead, we have to learn that it’s normal if you have quality, and we have quality, that you will be in the lead.”