Pep Guardiola was angry behind the scenes at Liverpool and the defeat showed he has yet to recreate the understanding at Manchester City that he enjoyed at BarcelonaPep Guardiola wished the assembled media a happy new year at the start of his post-match press conference and extended the seasonal goodwill message to their families when he left the Anfield stage. It was a nice touch by the Manchester City manager but the niceties were part of a performance better than that produced by his team at Liverpool and exposed by an angry, exasperated exchange with Txiki Begiristain shortly afterwards. There was no goodwill to be found in defeat by Jürgen Klopp and falling 10 points adrift of Chelsea, the leaders.Press...
Liverpool’s victory against Pep Guardiola’s somewhat passive Manchester City was based around a mobile front three that dropped back to help out in midfieldIt was somewhat surprising that Liverpool and Manchester City, two teams renowned for their attacking firepower and defensive shortcomings, produced only three shots on target combined in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory on New Year’s Eve. But that statistic should be considered evidence of Liverpool’s excellent game management – after going ahead in the eighth minute through Georginio Wijnaldum’s bullet header from Adam Lallana’s left-wing cross, they shut down the game impressively.In truth, Pep Guardiola’s side had started better and Wijnaldum’s goal was somewhat against the run of play. But thereafter, Liverpool’s first-half performance was outstanding, a brilliant demonstration...
Two of the Premier League’s highest scorers meet at Anfield on New Year’s Eve. It promises to be an explosive encounter in a tightly fought title contestOne can only imagine how many dustbins have been kicked and desks banged by Sky Sports’ department for hyperbole as they come to terms with not having the rights to show the New Year’s Eve game between Liverpool and Manchester City. After Red Monday and Mersey Monday this could have been Shit-hot Saturday. Instead BT Sport is broadcasting it and no doubt banking on a sizeable number of people tuning in before heading out to celebrate the arrival of 2017. Related: Daniel Sturridge happy with Liverpool support role as he nears full fitness Continue...
Liverpool feature various forwards who drift around – Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mané – but at Crystal Palace they dovetailed superblyLiverpool remain a work in progress but it’s coming together promisingly. During Jürgen Klopp’s first campaign at Anfield the players adapted quickly to his high-energy, heavy-pressing system and regularly disrupted the opposition’s passing but they only sporadically formulated quick, incisive attacking moves themselves.This season things have improved significantly. The pressing is still impressively efficient and remains an extremely useful way of creating chances but Liverpool’s passing interplay makes them a more complete attacking force. Their 69 shots on target this season is the most in the Premier League. Related: Roberto Firmino rounds off Liverpool’s goal rush at Crystal...
With the top-flight back in action this weekend, we take a look at the top seven’s strengths, weaknesses, squad depth and key players before asking whether they have got what it takes to win the leagueThe Premier League is back after the international break and, following a breathless start to the season, we assess the top seven sides in the league in search for clues as to which side will lift the trophy come May. Manchester City are the early pacesetters but their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur have given the rest of the clubs hope. It is also worth remembering that seven games into last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were top, West Ham United third and eventual winners...