Manchester City 0-2 Liverpool Player Ratings: Salah and Szoboszlai shine in a simple win for Slot’s men

Liverpool put in a solid display that reinforced their status as champions-elect as they brushed aside defending champions Manchester City with a 2-0 win in the Premier League on Sunday, February 23. The result further compounded City’s problems though, as their subpar season slips away further and further.

This tie has produced some of the best moments in the last few Premier League seasons, and one of the two teams has often gone on to win the title. However, Liverpool still have plenty of fire in them, while Manchester City seem to have fallen off a bit. The Reds were eager to get this game underway as they were favourites.

Despite conceding early possession to Manchester City, Liverpool kept their cool and waited patiently for a break. Dominik Szoboszlai set up star performer Mohamed Salah in the 14^th minute and the Egyptian scored without hassle to put Liverpool 1-0 up. Shortly after, the pair were again involved in a goal as the Reds doubled their lead.

This time, the Hungarian turned scorer, receiving an assist from Mohamed Salah to double the Reds’ advantage with 37 minutes on the clock. Overall, Manchester City managed three shots on target from eight in total, while Liverpool overperformed their 0.34 xG from the first half with two well-taken goals to put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat.

Omar Marmoush seemed to have brought the hosts back on terms shortly after the half-hour mark in the match. However, the linesman’s flag was raised and VAR confirmed that the former Eintracht Frankfurt man was indeed offside, and the goal was ruled out. City knew they had a mountain to climb if they were to make a comeback.

The Reds continued in the same vein in the second period as they came out with all guns blazing, looking to extend their lead. The Etihad Stadium was jumping as the home support looked to reinvigorate their team, while the away fans sang in unison celebrating their lead.

Curtis Jones seemed to have put the Reds three goals to the good after 57 minutes. However, replays showed there was a marginal offside in the build-up and the VAR intervened for a check before chalking the goal off. Manchester City seemed to be momentarily galvanized after this incident and created chances on the other end, but failed to convert any of them.

Both Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola turned to their respective benches as they made multiple changes between minutes 70 and 80, looking to rest their main players. Due to a flurry of changes, the game lost a significant amount of tempo as both Liverpool and Manchester City played with a reduced sense of urgency.

Under such circumstances, it was fairly easy for the Reds to hold off any minor infringements from a desperate City attack as they won 2-0. The win sees Slot’s men increase their lead over second-placed Arsenal to a massive 11 points. With one hand on the title, they will look to continue performing at a high level and finish things off before Matchday 38.

On that note, here are Manchester City vs Liverpool Player Ratings.

Manchester City Player Ratings

GK – Ederson – 6.5/10

Ederson was called upon to make two saves for Manchester City in a rather lopsided contest, and could not do much to prevent the Reds’ goals.

RB – Rico Lewis – 6.5/10

He won three of his six duels in defence, making two clearances, one block, and also won one tackle. He passed the ball with 96% accuracy as well.

CB – Abdukodir Khusanov – 7/10

Khusanov won two duels in defence, making six clearances, one block and one last-man tackle as well. He passed the ball with 99% accuracy, including one key pass.

CB – Nathan Ake – 6.5/10

Ake failed to win his only duel in defence but made two clearances and played one key pass, before being subbed off in the second half.

LB – Josko Gvardiol – 7/10

Gvardiol had a busy evening on the left side of Manchester City’s defence. He won seven duels, making four clearances, one interception and also made two tackles as well.

CDM – Nico Gonzalez – 7/10

Gonzalez passed the ball with 94% accuracy, attempted three shots without hitting the target, and also won his only duel in a composed midfield performance.

RCM – Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5/10

With every passing game, De Bruyne looks like he is edging closer to the twilight of his career. He played two key passes and won two duels but could not impact the proceedings enough.

LCM – Omar Marmoush – 7/10

Marmoush passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including one key pass and two accurate crosses. He attempted two shots on target and nearly scored but it was ruled out for offside.

RM – Savinho – 7/10

Savinho put in an encouraging performance with the ball at his feet as he played four key passes, and won three duels. His only attempted shot was blocked.

LM – Jeremy Doku – 8/10

Doku had a great game with the ball at his feet as he completed a stunning 13 dribbles past opponents. He played two key passes and also attempted two shots, with just one of those on target.

ST – Phil Foden – 6.5/10

Foden started up front and attempted two shots on target but could not trouble Alisson in Liverpool’s goal. He also completed two dribbles and won three duels, but was also dispossessed 15 times.

SUB – James McAtee – 6.5/10

He replaced De Bruyne in the second half and his team did not have enough control of the match for him to make the desired impact.

SUB – Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10

He replaced Marmoush in the second half and played well.

SUB – Ruben Dias – 6/10

He replaced Ake in the second half and had a decent outing.

SUB – Mateo Kovacic – 6.5/10

He replaced Gonzalez late on and played well.

Manager – Pep Guardiola – 6/10

He continued to look like he was running out of ideas after another hapless performance from City.

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Liverpool Player Ratings

GK – Alisson – 8/10

Alisson made five good saves for Liverpool to earn his clean sheet.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5.5/10

Trent had a subpar performance in defence as he was weak in his duels, winning just three of 13 he was involved in. He was dribbled past an astounding 11 times and struggled to keep up with Manchester City’s wingers.

CB – Ibrahima Konate – 7/10

Konate won two duels in defence, making five clearances and one interception. He passed the ball with 92% accuracy.

CB – Virgil van Dijk – 8/10

Van Dijk did well to hold his own in defence and used his physicality to become an imposing presence for opponents trying to attack from his side. He won three duels, making nine clearances and three blocks.

LB – Andrew Robertson – 7/10

The Scotsman put in an assured performance on the left side of the Reds’ defence. He won three duels, making four clearances and three tackles. He also played one key pass.

RDM – Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10

Gravenberch put in a composed midfield performance and helped the Reds secure a big win.

LDM – Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10

Mac Allister had a decent game in midfield, barring an injury scare in the first period that made it seem he would not continue.

CAM – Curtis Jones – 7/10

Jones had a decent game in midfield as he passed the ball with 89% accuracy, won all four of his duels and also scored a goal that was later disallowed for offside.

RM – Mohamed Salah – 9/10

Salah made a great start to the game as he assisted Liverpool’s first goal and then assisted their second goal scored by Szoboszlai. He played two other key passes to create chances, completed three dribbles and also won a total of eight duels.

LM – Luis Diaz – 7/10

Diaz had a decent game on the left flank for Liverpool. He attempted one shot on target, won four duels and also made three tackles and one interception.

ST – Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10

The Hungarian started the game as a striker and put in a good performance up top. He provided an assist for Salah’s opener, before getting on the scoresheet himself with a nice finish.

SUB – Konstantinos Tsimikas – 6.5/10

He replaced Robertson and helped Liverpool see out the game.

SUB – Wataru Endo – 6.5/10

He replaced Jones and put in a decent performance for his team.

SUB – Cody Gakpo – 6.5/10

He replaced Diaz but could not make an impact in the final third.

SUB – Jarell Quansah – N/A

SUB – Harvey Elliott – N/A

Manager – Arne Slot – 8/10

He took his team one step closer to the PL title with a big win.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match – Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian moved to 25 goals and is now six clear of the next player in the Golden Boot race.

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