5 Things We Learned: City - Liverpool
April 4, 2023
Saturday began early with a clash between two of the Premier League’s finest, with Manchester City taking on Liverpool at the Etihad. Despite an early goal by Mo Salah (inevitable), City methodically established their dominance over the Merseyside club en route to a dazzling 4-1 victory. City manager Pep Guardiola was noticeably jubilant about his side’s performance, even going as far as to state that it was one of the best performances he’s seen from his side during his seven year tenure. Now entering the crux of our 22-23 season, we focused on 5 key takeaways from our incredible performance.
(+) Julian Alvarez is The Real Deal
Erling Haaland’s availability was a massive headline in the week leading up to the match, with many fans feeling understandably nervous about the prospect of facing our biggest rival of recent years without our towering, Norwegian talisman. Despite his World Cup triumph, questions lingered about how effective he’d be in a lone striker role in a fixture of such importance. His response? Unequivocally his best performance to date in a City shirt. The diminutive Argentinian canceled out Salah’s strike with his own goal, combining with Jack Grealish for a slick move in the 27th minute. An audible gasp was heard from the crowd when he executed a perfect switch pass to Mahrez, leading to the Algerian’s assist to Kevin De Bruyne. Throughout the match, his movement, energy, and intelligence were on devastating display, drifting in between the false-9 position and splitting time at the wing. Tactically, this proved to be a masterclass, opening up space and allowing De Bruyne the freedom to operate in the middle. While Alvarez is obviously not the striker Erling Haaland is, he proved that different doesn’t mean “better” or “worse.”
(+) We Must Extend Ilkay Gundogan
The entire team at Man City International is unified on this topic, believing strongly that extending captain İlkay Gündoğan is crucial. In yet another calm, composed display, Gündoğan continued to prove us right. Despite being 32 years old, Saturday’s performance was further confirmation that his effectiveness, reliability, and versatility have not diminished, rendering him a crucial leader and locker room voice in our squad. Being in the right place to score his goal, one of the first to celebrate with his teammates, and operating as a controller against a Jurgen Klopp built gen-gen press, few can offer what Gündoğan does and even fewer warrant the full trust that Guardiola has in his captain. There is no stage too big, no situation too dire for the City captain.
(+) Jack Grealish Is Undroppable
Rightfully crowned the man of the match, Jack Grealish’s performance was arguably his best during a season of “redemption” for the 100m man. A 27th minute assist and 74th minute goal were much deserved, even if they don’t begin to tell the tale of Grealish’s sparkling performance on the pitch. His desire to do whatever it takes to win was highlighted once again during a lung-bursting run back on defense to stop Salah, who was nearly open on goal for his second. While naysayers may still whinge about his G/A numbers, one must simply watch Grealish to understand how and why he’s become integral to our side. Grealish’s biggest strength is ball progression (most progressive carries (150) and progressive carries per 90 (6.44) in our squad) and he happens to be one of the best in the world at it, driving forward and causing havoc among defenses while our other attackers get to their required positions. And it’s in those crucial moment’s that Jack’s best quality shines: his selflessness, providing a perfect partner for the goal-hungry machine(s) we have leading the line. Whether it’s Haaland, Alvarez, or someone manning the false-9, Grealish is committed to doing whatever he can to make his teammates’ lives easier. It appears Pep was right, once again.
(+) Kevin De Bruyne Has Still Got It
Is there anything Kevin De Bruyne can’t do on the pitch? Despite having a “down season,” no player in the top five leagues has more assists than Kevin De Bruyne. Furthermore, the Belgian playmaker also boasts the highest assist count in the Premier League this season. Creating, scoring and leading his teammates to victory, KDB was in scintillating form, cooly finishing off a Mahrez assist in the 46th minute (essentially icing the game off), feeding Grealish for the final goal of the game, and creating 5 chances throughout the match. In particular, his partnership with Alvarez appeared an effective one, showcasing his ability to remain effective regardless of who plays around him. Now the captain of Belgium and a vice captain at City, De Bruyne looks to be coming into his best form of the season right when we need him to.
(+) We Fight Till’ The End.
Our fixture against Liverpool was a must win. Frankly, every single remaining game this season falls into that category. And yet, when the stakes are highest and the odds seem against us, Manchester City Football Club has delivered. The trophies won, the records broken, the memories made, has this club not shown their mettle time and time again? While we are still 8 points behind Arsenal with a game in hand an against a team that has had our number, Pep and the boys showed us who they are. Onwards to Southampton we go.