While the red side of Manchester ridicules the signings that Brendan Rodgers made this summer, their prized £59m acquisition makes passionless runs that fizz out; lacking vigour like much of the United side. Manchester City have spent a total of £42m on Brazilians ‘do and ‘dinho, who are both unable to do anything significant in midfield. Fans of Arsenal seem hell-bent on blaming the entire Monaco debacle on Olivier Giroud, while they play Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin at defensive midfield (Surely world class, right?).
But that’s none of my business….
Brendan Rodgers’ side executed a masterplan and took all three unlikely points from the reigning champions. It cannot be confirmed if Joe Allen has allowed Yaya Toure out of his pocket just yet.
Manuel Pellegrini continued his stubborn idea of, “Send eleven lads out there and hope they win” by sticking to his 4-4-2 formation. Manchester City lacked hunger and passion required to take three points.
Lack of passion? Better send on Samir Nasri, I’m sure everyone knows the tenacity he brings…
It was absolutely no surprise that Liverpool lined up in the 3-4-2-1 formation, with five midfielders clogging the center of the park. Manchester City lined up with a 4-4-2, with Toure and Fernandinho sitting deeper in the middle. Nasri and David Silva played on the wings.
With Liverpool relentlessly pressing as a unit, they outnumbered City four to two in the middle of the park. Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Joe Allen, and Jordan Henderson cut off the supply lines to the rest of the City attack. This left Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko on an island where no supply could reach them.
How do you counter a packed center (3-4-3)?
Fast and effective wingers, where Liverpool lack width. City had the pacey (lack of, rather) Nasri, and the missing Silva. Just when you felt Pellegrini was doing justice and putting on the quick and powerful James Milner, he takes off the only goalscorer (Dzeko). City fans were left exasperated having to watch Nasri continue to be anonymous for the rest of the match. What was more exasperating is that Jesus Navas was not even part of the substitute bench; his pace would have caused Liverpool many more problems, especially with the ability to press with his speed. How Pellegrini did not see the need for his quickest wingers is anyone’s guess.
The aforementioned Kompany seemed a scared little bunny, where his command on the field was as strong as Nemenja Matic’s self-restraint. Vincent Kompany was chasing the play all match and simply looked uncomfortable. Whether the problem is with him or his midfielders, he needs to be louder to get it in order.
Perhaps the City side simply doesn’t have the heart that is required to fight when the going gets tough? There isn’t really an influential or passionate leader such as the likes of Steven Gerrard, John Terry, or even Jordan Henderson in the City line-up. On Sunday, Yaya Toure had had enough and gave away the ball away in a hopeless attitude that matched that of an annoyed two year-old. David Silva tried to find the deepest corner in the field where he could hide. Nasri just shamelessly stood there, and Kompany tried his best to hide, but ultimately couldn’t. Manuel Pellegrini? He nonchalantly stands there saying, “I’m not under pressure”, while City face a trophy-less season for the first time in years.
It’s alright though, it not like the players have to show accountability, especially when Pellegrini is sacked this summer.
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