[event_performance 4648]
How both the teams lined up for the fixture?
Manchester City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Vincent Kompany (C), Ilkay Gündogan, Aymeric Laporte, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané, David Silva, Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Jesus
SUBS: Claudio Bravo, Danilo, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Bernardo Silva, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Liverpool: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Dijk, Robertson, Chamberlain, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Mane
SUBS: Mignolet, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Moreno, Ings, Solanke, Masterson
Team News
Aymeric Laporte recovered in time to play the match against Liverpool. Raheem Sterling on the bench.
Sergio Aguero ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League first leg clash against Liverpool with a knee injury.
Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and Danilo will incur a suspension with their next yellow cards.
What Happened?
Manchester City had everything under control as the game commenced. They looked a better team with feather touch and clean passes.
Pep Guardiola’s men were left stunned with the concession of three goals inside the opening 31 minutes. Goals from top scorer Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane gives The Reds such a commanding advantage heading into next week’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City get back into the second half as they are the better team on the ball pressuring Liverpool’s defence. They looks to bite back at Liverpool but the host find a way to damage hopes. Jurgen Klopp’s men had to stay back and defend. Guardiola definitely got some motivational words in the dressing room. City are much composed team in the second half.
Manchester City stepped up their game in second half but score at half time remains the score at full time.
Who Said What
Pep Guardiola:”It is what it is, we have to accept it. Now in two days we have United at home then two days after we have Liverpool. We’ll see what happens.”
“We didn’t create clear chances because they defended deep. We needed one goal but we couldn’t score it.”
“Nobody believes we will go through. We will convince ourselves to do it tomorrow.”
“I believe a lot in my team. They’ve shown me lots of good things over the season. Today was tough. We have 90 minutes, all over us; Sevilla, Juve and us.
“We have 90 minutes more and we’re going to try it. We’re going to play a top top top team but we’re going to try it. United is coming at home then we have three days to prepare for Liverpool game.”
“I don’t think its a problem with the defence. At this level in the Champions League, the players are so good that it can happen.”
“What I said to my players is that we must be ourselves and start in that way. We have to play with personality. It was then 2-0 and it was tough mentally.
“Handling the situation of being 2-0 down at Anfield, you have to have big big personality.
“The last 10 minutes of the first half and second half, it was good. We didn’t create many chances but neither did Liverpool in the second half.
“But the result speaks for itself, congratulations to Liverpool.”
🎙I believe a lot in my team. They’ve shown me lots of good things over the season. We have 90 minutes more and we’re going to try it.
Creo mucho en mi equipo. Me lo han demostrado muchas veces esta temporada. Tenemos 90 minutos más y lo intentaremos.#lfcvcity #ucl #mancity pic.twitter.com/kGXWxOcXjq— PepTeam (@PepTeam) 4 April 2018
