Football Features

    Henderson produces ‘work of art’ and Aguero cursed: Every player rated from Liverpool 3-1 Man City

    By Mohamed Moallim

    Published: 18:25, 10 November 2019

    Liverpool stretched their lead atop of the Premier League to eight points following a 3-1 win over title rivals Manchester City.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side maintained an unbeaten start to the season in the most impressive way possible to enhance their hopes of ending a 30-year championship wait.

    Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane all got on the scoresheet for the Reds defence before Bernardo Silva’s late consolation for Man City, who must now regroup following this humbling loss.

    Here’s how the players rated at Anfield:

    Liverpool

    Alisson – 6 – Will be kicking himself that he didn’t keep a clean sheet, up until Silva’s goal was seldom called into action, but did pull off a routine save to deny Sergio Aguero in the 25th minute.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 – Fortunate not to have been pulled up for a penalty for handling in the penalty area in the build-up to Liverpool’s opener.

    Dejan Lovren – 7 – Tasked with keeping an eye on Aguero and was never fazed as the Argentine marksman shot another Anfield blank.

    Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Wasn’t in the limelight too much, which is a positive sign, though his presence remains irresistible.

    Andrew Robertson – 8 – There are very few left-backs in the Premier League better than Robertson and he illustrated why after his teasing cross was nodded home by Salah.

    Jordan Henderson – 8 – What. A. Cross. Henderson’s delivery rarely gets the praise it deserves but the ball he played for Mane’s goal was a work of art.

    Fabinho – 8 – Jurgen Klopp rested him for the game against Aston Villa last time out and the Brazilian repaid his manager’s faith with a rare goal courtesy of a composed performance.

    Georginio Wijnaldum – 7 – Played more conservatively than usual, kept the ball ticking whenever in possession.

    Mohamed Salah – 8 – Been quiet in recent weeks, but the Egyptian forward was back to his ruthless best this afternoon. Scored a difficult header to double Liverpool’s lead.

    Roberto Firmino – 7 – Played the ‘false nine’ role flawlessly, was a constant outlet for his teammates and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet.

    Sadio Mané – 8 – You can’t keep him out of the headlines, after being accused of diving by Guardiola in the build-up he launched himself to head past an embattled Claudio Bravo.

    Substitutes:

    James Milner (for Henderson 61) – 6 – Came on to do a job and picked up where Henderson left off.

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Firmino 79) – N/A- A late sub.

    Joseph Gomez (for Salah 87) – N/A- A late sub.

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    Manchester City

    Claudio Bravo – 3 – Came in for the impressive Ederson and had to pick the ball out of his net twice in the opening 15 minutes. Started to recover before Mane’s header sneaked past him.

    Kyle Walker – 4 – Remained an out-ball for Man City and he never stopped marauding forward though it was responding to being on the backfoot which must frustrate his manager.

    John Stones – 4 – Could have been involved in Man City going ahead before Liverpool went in front. His defensive display left a lot to be desired.

    Fernandinho – 4 – Not sure what he was trying to do in the build-up to Salah’s goal, threw himself at the ball and completely missed it, which Liverpool’s ‘number 10’ duly converted.

    Angeliño – 5 – Made a second consecutive Premier League start here, felt like a game too far and was often dragged around by Liverpool’s energetic attack but did pop up with an assist.

    Kevin De Bruyne – 7 – Unfortunate not to have two assists to his name in the early stages of the game. Comfortably the visitors’ most dangerous creative outlet.

    Rodrigo – 5 – A welcome return for Guardiola but the game seemingly passed him by as it was often played from the flanks.

    İlkay Gündoğan – 4 – His lackadaisical clearance fell to Fabinho’s feet and the Brazilian midfielder wasn’t going to pass up the invitation to put Liverpool in front with a screamer.

    Bernardo Silva – 7 – Looked threatening whenever he found himself on the ball, and was rewarded with a late goal.

    Sergio Agüero – 5 – Another duck at the home of Liverpool, had plenty of chances to change that meagre record but again forgot his scoring boots. Seems cursed to never score at Anfield.

    Raheem Sterling – 6 – Didn’t allow a raucous Anfield crowd to get on top of him and enjoyed a great battle with Alexander-Arnold, which he often won.

    Substitutes:

    Gabriel Jesus (for Aguero 71) – 5 – Came in for the shockingly toothless Aguero but couldn’t grab a bite in this game.

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