Liverpool vs Manchester City analysis: Pep Guardiola’s men freeze in face of the Kop’s fanaticism

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Tony Evans5 April 2018

“I wanted to create a bastion of invincibility,” Bill Shankly said. Liverpool’s legendary manager was the master of hyperbole and the founding father of the mythology of the Kop.

Pep Guardiola is a different kind of man. The Manchester City boss is logical, clever and forensically creative. Football, to the Catalan, is almost scientific. Last night the 47-year-old experienced the power of the irrational.

Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over City at Anfield in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals was shocking. It was one of the clearest expressions of home advantage seen for a long time.

Guardiola’s table toppers are 18 points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League. City’s lone League defeat was inflicted by Jurgen Klopp’s team in front of the Kop in January but that 4-3 victory for the home side came in a game of tight margins. It could have gone either way. Wednesday night was not even close.

City did not have a shot on target. They started the game by controlling the ball for the first 10 minutes. It was pointless possession with no hint of threat.

The malice came from the stands, where Liverpool supporters howled until they croaked. Anfield was the fortress Shankly craved. Klopp’s men were powered by waves of hostility.

Photo: PA
PA

They were three goals up just after the half-hour mark. Mohamed Salah profited from some Sunday-league defending to give his side the opening goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, for so long one of Arsenal’s lost boys, has found a new purpose on Merseyside. The 24-year-old’s delightful shot doubled the lead. Sadio Mane scored the third, a back-post header that took advantage of meek defending.

Guardiola’s team seemed to freeze in the face of the Kop’s fanaticism. City were clearly unprepared for the reality of a European night at Anfield. The visiting side’s coach was greeted by thousands of home fans when it arrived before the game. The transport got caught up in the throng and was pelted by missiles. Liverpool condemned the actions of their supporters on the streets around Anfield but intimidation is the flip side of Shankly’s siege mentality.

It would be going too far to overdramatize events before the match, though. This was less a return to the days of hooliganism than a storm in a bus stop. There is still much to play for on Tuesday in the second leg at the Etihad. At their compelling best, City are capable of scoring three goals against any team.

In the second half last night they controlled the ball but were unable to carve out any chances.

Liverpool could not sustain their initial frantic pace. Salah limped off - though the striker’s withdrawal seemed to be precautionary - and Jordan Henderson, the captain, was booked, which means he is suspended next week.

Sergio Aguero is likely to be back for City and the 29-year-old gives his team a more incisive presence in the penalty area. Guardiola will also expect more from Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Leroy Sane. De Bruyne and Silva were disappointing. Liverpool pushed them back into their own half seeking possession. Sane was City’s main point of attack. Guardiola tried to get the ball out wide on the left to the German at every opportunity, expecting Sane to exploit Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inexperience. The 19-year-old Scouser was up to the challenge. Alexander-Arnold barely put a foot wrong but the full-back can expect another testing evening at the Etihad.

Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Liverpool’s other star performer came from the opposite end of the age scale. James Milner (above, right) was outstanding against his former club. The 32-year-old used all his knowhow to deny City space.

In the summer, Milner was offered around on loan but no other team was interested in taking on his £150,000-per week wages. He was worth every penny last night. He will need to carry that form into the second leg. In the more tepid atmosphere of the Etihad, Liverpool will be unable to rely on their supercharged support to provide momentum.

City will not be as poor - or as unnerved - in front of their own fans. Klopp has one foot in the semi-finals but will take nothing for granted. His team are far from invincible and Manchester will feel like a long way from home.

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