It's hard to have dreamed up a better Anfield European night in the Champions League quarterfinals against the first place team in England. Three goals in the first thirty-one minutes were what will send Liverpool to Manchester next Tuesday with a 3-0 advantage. Just as importantly is the clean sheet the Reds held on to. This was a team that defended tough, played with determination and grit, and would not bend to the often times unstoppable City attack as the league leaders finished the game without a single shot on target.
Game Story:
The scoring started early with a counter attack goal in the 12th from who other than Mohamed Salah. James Milner's outstanding through ball to Salah started the counter as Salah gave it a touch to Firmino. The number nine took a tame effort with Ederson could only parry and Firmino tackle-touched it back to the Egyptian to get the scoring started.
Perhaps the finest goal of the evening was the second: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's screaming effort into the top right corner of the net. Oxlade-Chamberlain was given too much space and one of the hardest-working men on the pitch hit the ball to perfection to make it 2-0. From there, the Reds added a third after Salah recovered the ball off his own deflected shot and delivered a spectacular floating cross into the box. Sadio Mane's head met the ball and Ederson yet again had no chance at making a save and the third of three found its home in the net.
3-0 perhaps was not even a large enough gap for Liverpool's efforts. Throughout the rest of the half the Reds would not be denied. Every 50/50 ball was theirs. Any tackle they attempted was won. Andy Robertson made another brilliant run skirting past the City defenders as if they were ghosts. Virgil van Dijk nearly made it four before the stroke of halftime with a header wide off a fantastic set piece. Dominic Solanke came on, won a ball in the second half off of pure hustle and speed, and delivered a lovely cross between Otamendi's legs nearly finding Mane. Liverpool put in a shift that made their fans fall in love with them all over again.
How Did This Happen:
This was not all "heart" or "determination" as it may have seemed. While Liverpool certainly did seem to want it more, the technical skill was picture-esque from the Reds. Trent Alexander-Arnold, at just 19, faced the massive tasking of slowing down one of England's finest wingers in Leroy Sane. Likewise, Andy Robertson would have his hands full with perhaps England's player of the year in Kevin De Bruyne. While each man had their moments of skill (Sane in particular put in quality runs into the box all throughout the game) the two fullbacks completely shut down their counterparts. Alexander-Arnold made open-field tackles, clearances, tracked back, and even found the time between defending to deliver some stellar crosses he has become known for. On the left, Robertson found assistance when needed from James Milner who provided a heartbeat in the middle, and cover when Kyle Walker attempted to make an overlapping run. When accounting for the dominance of Lovren and van Dijk, a clean sheet was well-deserved.
Of course, City were not without their strong points. Otamendi and Laporte in particular came up with some excellent blocks in crucial times for City. But there was simply not much those two could do about the goals. Kyle Walker made a mess out of attempting a clearance on the first goal. Oxlade-Chamberlain was given far too much space by City and was allowed to deliver his strike with ample time to ensure its precision. Fernandinho seemed to forget about Mane's presence on his headed goal and Mane glided in unmarked. The midfield of Henderson, Milner, and Oxlade-Chamberlain, all three English, all three often times underrated, absolutely controlled the game and pulled all the strings. The usually capable City were the team that made mistakes, many of which Liverpool goaded them into. And these cost them dearly.
What's Next:
Liverpool have the Merseyside Derby on Saturday and the second leg on Tuesday, both matches away. Liverpool will hope Salah's injury causing him to be withdrawn is nothing of serious concern and that he will be available for at least the second leg. Jordan Henderson will be suspended for the second leg as the captain picked up his third yellow in Champions League play. The hope will be that Emre Can can fill in. If not, Wijnaldum (who had a stellar cameo appearance) will be the likely fill-in for Henderson.
Guardiola will have to take a step back too and look at his team. His strategy of putting Laporte on Salah's side did not seem to fail entirely. At times it appeared City were playing a hybrid back three with Laporte, Otamendi, and Kompany as three centre-backs and Walker and Sane more often than not playing in advanced positions. This worked into Liverpool's favor on the first goal as Salah had plenty of space to roam freely. Gabriel Jesus was also incredibly frustrated as the young striker's displeasure was apparent, especially during his booking for dissent in the second half. The hope will be that Sergio Aguero is back by the Manchester Derby and can lead the line at the Ethiad. Raheem Sterling was named as a sub and was fine, but seems unable to produce against his former club. Following Gundogan's average-to-poor-at-times performance, perhaps Guardiola will reinsert him in to provide a boost.
No matter how the teams line-up again, the Anfield atmosphere will certainly be missed by Liverpool. The fans were loud, amped up, and ready to cheer whenever their team seemed to need a boost, and boo City whenever they touched the ball. The first leg has gone down in the books with a Jurgen Klopp master-class in managing, and Liverpool are just 90 minutes away from a Champions League semi-finals appearance.
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