MANCHESTER, U.K. — Manchester City were as fresh as Liverpool were leggy in their Sunday afternoon duel. City had a cutting edge in Erling Haaland where Liverpool weakly brandished only blunt weapons. They had a back-up No. 6 to the absent Rodri in the excellent Nico González where Liverpool really have only Wataru Endo as cover. They fielded a wide player in Jérémy Doku as electric as Mohamed Salah looked without any spark, but the crucial difference was that Pep Guardiola had a better plan than the man in the opposite dugout.
Arne Slot was as comprehensively out-thought by Guardiola as Liverpool’s players were outfought by City’s. Tactically, Guardiola’s side were smarter than Slot’s pedestrian, slow-reacting visitors, controlling the centre and varying the speeds and angles of their attacks. Liverpool walked blindly into an ambush.
Liverpool, and Slot, had no answer, which all led to one question: What has happened to the champions? The midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid was meant to be a reboot for their stop-start season. But Slot’s right-back, Conor Bradley, simply could not handle the flying, dribbling Doku as he had done so effortlessly in taming Vinicius Junior. Liverpool’s lauded central three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were over-run and overwhelmed.
What a contrast to the corresponding fixture last February when Liverpool toyed with the champions, City. Salah was as irresistible as he was almost invisible this time out, and the Africa Cup of Nations, starting on Dec. 21, offers a convenient opportunity to assess other players on the right to the Egyptian.
Liverpool’s defence was as organised and resolute last February as it was scrambled and lacking in concentration and assertiveness now. Even such experienced defenders as Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, both international captains, got mixed up positionally at one damaging point. What will also alarm Liverpool’s loyal following is that their players lacked the hunger of City’s, that desire to reach the second ball. Van Dijk needs to call another team meeting. Liverpool, and Slot, must not let their domestic season slide.
