THE GOALLESS MATCH AT ANFIELD

_source

Anfield is known to receive a lot of goals. If the visitors fails to score, Liverpool will definitely do the scoring. The goal scoring record has suddenly be broken after so many matches. Liverpool had scored 12 goals in their last five matches at home before this very last one. Impressive record I must say. The goalless match came as a shock though; everybody had expected the match between Manchester City and Liverpool to generate a lot of goals.

Both teams have encountered so many times and they haven’t played a goalless draw for several years. They met four times last season and eighteen goals were scored. They scored nine goals each. Nevertheless, Liverpool extended their home unbeaten run; 18 games without a defeat. Also, the match result enabled Chelsea to tie with both teams. The blues are currently second in the league table with 20 points. These three teams haven’t been defeated so far.

_Source

Let’s dive straight to the goalless match.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Liverpool’s formation: [4-3-3] – Gomez, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Alison (Goal keeper).

Mancity’s formation: [4-3-3] – Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, David Silver, Fernandinho, Bernado Silva, Mharez, Aguero, Sterling. Ederson (Goal Keeper).

The stadium was lively as usual, with Liverpool fans chanting and celebrating. Manchester City had the first attack in the second minute of the game; the long pass from Walker reached the waiting legs of Mharez, and the Algerian was faced with the goal keeper. Unfortunately for him, the offside flag was raised.

Liverpool kept pressurizing till they got an attack in the 4th minute. Salah missed the chance by playing it wide. The Egyptian would have scored another chance in the 7th minute but Mendy saved the cross made by Mane with a brilliant header.

Gomez made a back pass that got into the legs of Aguero in the 20th minute. Just as the Argentine wanted to control the ball, he was hit by Lovren but a penalty wasn’t given. No real chances were made again till the end of the first half whistle was blown. Liverpool made a change in the 24th minute. Keita came in for Milner. The Midfielder suffered a slight injury.

_{Screenshot from the match.}

Both teams were careful in the second half. The defense became tighter while there were little efforts in the attacking side. Salah saw a clear chance in the 69th minute. Robertson threw a good pass that got into his waiting leg. Yet again, he played it wide.

In the 84th minute, Manchester City lost the big chance. Sane was brought down by Van Dijk in the penalty area. The referee awarded it but Mharez lost it. He played it wide.

At the end of the game, Manchester City had 51% ball possession while Liverpool had 49%. It was a really tough match. Fernandinho was the man of the match. The Brazilian was almost at every corner of the field. His work rate wasn’t overlooked.

---

That’s another powerful match in the English Premier League. More of this would come your way soonest.

It’s @afolwalex, your number one sport analyst.