Manchester City’s flops fail to hit shot on target for the first time since October 2016 in Liverpool thumping


MANCHESTER CITY fans will be waking up bemused and frustrated by their performance at Anfield as they were thumped 3-0 by Liverpool.

But one damning statistic appears to have counted badly against Pep Guardiola’s side – their shots on goal.

Gabriel Jesus is marshalled away from goal by Virgil van Dijk as Loris Karius smothers the ball for Liverpool
Gabriel Jesus is marshalled away from goal by Virgil van Dijk as Loris Karius smothers the ball for Liverpool
PA:Press Association

City failed to record a shot on target for the first time since October 2016, when Manchester United knocked them out of the League Cup.

Anyone who watched the game will not be surprised by that statistic, with City camped on the edge of Liverpool’s penalty area for much of the second half.

But the Reds’ midfield did a magnificent job in smothering Guardiola’s star-studded middle men and City were restricted to building up play down the flanks.

And that appeared to stop the sky blue machine in its tracks, with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan frustrated by the pressing of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Leory Sane looked lively but could never really make the breakthrough for Manchester City at Anfield
Leory Sane looked lively but could never really make the breakthrough for Manchester City at Anfield
REUTERS
The German had shots at goal, but they were blocked or never hit the target
The German had shots at goal, but they were blocked or never hit the target
Alamy Live News
David Silva was kept quiet by Jordan Henderson and Liverpool's aggressive midfield
David Silva was kept quiet by Jordan Henderson and Liverpool’s aggressive midfield
PA:Empics Sport
Jesus had a performance to forget at Anfield
Jesus had a performance to forget at Anfield
EPA

The last time they failed to test an opposing goalkeeper was when David de Gea kept a clean sheet against Guardiola’s City 16 months ago at Old Trafford.

United ran out narrow victors in a 1-0 win as Juan Mata grabbed the goal that night for Jose Mourinho’s side, who went on to win the EFL Cup that season.


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One fan Andy Marshall said on Twitter: “Imagine if that was United? Jose would be getting mad grief.”

Another said: “Embarrassing,” while a third claimed it was a “Klopp masterclass.”


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