Club football made a welcome return, with Man City vs Liverpool a memorable Carabao Cup classic, with City winning 3-2.
Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake were on the scoresheet for Pep Guardiola’s side, rendering Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah’s strikes futile as Jurgen Klopp’s side tasted defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City player ratings vs Liverpool
Stefan Ortega- 6
Swept extremely well, was comfortable on the ball and typically calm under pressure. Stefan Ortega could not have done much about both goals but overall, he looks the part of Man City’s No.2.
Rico Lewis- 8.5
It still boggles the mind how Rico Lewis is just 18 years old. A performance that a seasoned right-back would have been rightly proud of against Liverpool.
Dovetailed between the inverted and traditional right-back roles to perfection, was superb in possession and dealt with everything that came his way, including stopping a rapid Mohamed Salah from being through on goal.
Aymeric Laporte- 6.5
It’s a shame that Aymeric Laporte got brutally outpaced by Darwin Nunez for Mohamed Salah’s equaliser because barring that moment, the Spanish international’s passing and reading of the game was flawless.
Manuel Akanji- 6
Manuel Akanji was largely untested but looked neat in possession, as per usual.
Nathan Ake- 7.5
Despite operating in an unnatural left-back role, Nathan Ake managed to keep Mohamed Salah quiet. Leaped like a salmon to score the winner as well, which capped off a commendable display by the Dutchman.
Rodri- 9
For starters, name one defensive midfielder who can put the assist he did on a plate for Riyad Mahrez, we’ll wait.
If that wasn’t enough, Rodri’s passing in and out of pressure was sublime all night, while he was omnipresent defensively. A master of the No.6 role, at this point.
Ilkay Gundogan- 8
It almost feels harsh to rate that Ilkay Gundogan showing as an 8, as he was arguably the best player on the pitch in the first half.
Dropped off slightly in the second half but the German’s adeptness in tight spaces and quick feet gave that Liverpool midfield a headache. One hopes the injury the Man City captain suffered is a minor one, because he remains crucial.
Kevin De Bruyne- 9.5 (Man of the Match)
At this point, we’re running out of words for the genius that is Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian made a mockery of his critics during the World Cup by setting two goals up that only he is capable of on this planet. Ran the show from start to finish, as his final ball was beyond ridiculous and pressed like a machine.
A welcome return in sky blue for arguably the best midfielder in the world.
Riyad Mahrez- 7
Largely, Riyad Mahrez was anonymous throughout the game, as has been the case since the backend of last season.
However, the Algerian winger redeemed himself with a delightful first touch and finish to give Man City an early lead in the second half.
While Mahrez did admit that the clash against Liverpool was set to be tough before the game, he made his gorgeous goal look way too easy.
Erling Haaland- 8
Erling Haaland finally proved he is indeed human by missing a gilt-edged chance right at the start.
But the most in-form striker in world football returned to usual proceedings with a first-time half volley that was put past Kelleher that only he seems to be capable of pulling off.
Haaland was largely uninvolved but resourceful when called into action, pressing extremely well and linking up play adeptly.
Cole Palmer- 8.5
The pre-match groans surrounding Cole Palmer were loud, only due to the fact that he was deployed on the left flank instead of his favored right wing.
However, the youngster surprised virtually every Man City fan out there by putting in a supreme display as a left winger, as he constantly had the beating of James Milner and wriggled out of tight situations with aplomb.
If Cole Palmer dispatched the gilt-edged chance in the first half, he would easily have got a 9 from us.
Substitutes:
John Stones- N/A
Jack Grealish- N/A
Phil Foden- N/A
Bernardo Silva- N/A
