LFC Can’t Do the Same Thing Against Man City

Sturridge scores the winner for LFC

At around half past three last Sunday I felt as relieved as I had ever been. It was nerve-racking and extremely uncomfortable watching the Reds being dominated by Southampton in the final quarter of the game. Actually, throughout the game the Saints looked better, too. They created more clear goal-scoring chances and but for Simon Mignolet would have won the game. Don’t get me wrong, but having your goalkeeper as man of the match (I know Sky Sports gave it to Raheem, but Mignolet’s saves were more important) against mid-table side that lost most of their best players, doesn’t seem right for a title push this season. Though, LFC fans can get some comfort in something that they used to blame Chelsea for – winning without playing well.

However it was only the first game of the season and hopefully things will change for the better. I mean, the most important thing was the result and Liverpool came away with all three points. But Manuel Pellegrini’s champions wouldn’t be scared having seen that performance. Attack came in flashes, Coutinho was anonymous, Raheem and Sturridge did OK, each scored. Henderson created 90% of the first goal with a beautiful pass after battling his way through Southampton’s midfield. Stevie played one or two good balls in the box, cutting opponents’ defence in half. These are the positives. Let’s talk things that Brendan Rodgers needs to address before important game on Monday.

Simon Mignolet made a couple of great saves to preserve the lead, but again flapped his lines on a set piece during the first half. With players of such calibre as Man City possess at set-pieces, that is an obvious weakness. Defence looked as shaky as last season. Lovren seemed OK, but there was no communication between two centre-halves, which is of vital importance. Johnson went missing as usual and Manquillo looked unsure against Tadic on the right. If he is to start at Etihad, he will face David Silva, who is no slouch to say the least. Defend like this versus City and they will score two or three. Last season Reds were capable of outscoring this total, at the moment it doesn’t look this way.

During the whole of last campaign Manchester City lost just once at home. You don’t get much money for guessing that it was Jose Mourinho who outsmarted them. His tactics during the one-nil win were spot-on; Chelsea gave City the ball, pressed with one or two, sat deep with no space between midfield, line of defence and the goalkeeper and played on the counter-attack. As a result they won, hit the framework three times and missed an open goal. The Champions-to-be created nothing, though they still finished higher than Mourinho’s Blues.

Liverpool took the game to City last year. And though they got lots of positive reviews and could count themselves unlucky with referee’s decisions, they still got no points. And ended up second in the end. If Brendan really wants to deliver the first title since 1990 he should change some things. Because playing like Liverpool did against Southampton will see them smashed at the Etihad.