A Frustrating Draw With Chances Missed In Plenty: Player Ratings For Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting Liverpool side at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.
James Milner gave the Reds the lead from the penalty spot after Gael Clichy’s clumsy challenge on Roberto Firminio. However, the Citizens responded well despite looking out of the contest for a short period of time after that goal, with Sergio Aguero equalizing City from a fantastic cross by Kevin De Bruyne.
There were a lot of chances to score for the both side, with Sergio Aguero, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling all guilty of fluffing their lines. And as a result of such, the game ended honours even, which is not really a great result for either side.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain in the third-place one point and one place above Liverpool. The Reds will be under pressure now, considering Manchester United won earlier in the day and they still have outstanding games in hand.
Here are the player ratings from the game:
Manchester City Player Ratings
Willy Caballero – 8/10
Brilliant performance from the Argentine shot-stopper. Denied Mane in a one-on-one situation and produced his side more saves throughout the course of the game.
Fernandinho – 7/10
Lined up in at right-back and went up against Coutinho. he stuck to his task and did not let his compatriot affect the proceedings. Fernandinho moved into the midfield for last 25 minutes, combative display there as well.
Nicolas Otamendi – 6/10
His lack of speed was shown on a number of occasions. Surprised the Reds couldn’t use his weakness as a tool against him. Otamendi remains a liability at the back.
John Stones – 7/10
Stones made a great block on Mane’s shot in the second half of the game. He showed great tenanciy with some old-fashioned tackles and blocks.
Gael Clichy – 5/10
Barged into Firmino to give away the penalty, he cannot have any complains over that. He finds it difficult to cope against the pace and trickery of Mane.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6/10
Looked out of control in the central role. However, De Bruyne came into life after his moved to the right, producing a glorious cross for Aguero for City’s equalizer.
Yaya Toure – 6/10
Received booking in the first half for fouling Emre Can. Toure looked tired and out of stamina in the second half and taken off in the hour that follows.
David Silva – 8/10
Silva superb passing and vision were the main reasons City kept moving forward. Though he missed a great chance in the first-half.
Raheem Sterling – 7/10
The Englishman showed good attacking intent on the flanks against his former side. However, Sterling was let down by some poor decision-making and a lack of end product.
Leroy Sane – 7/10
Keeps getting better like an old wine. Sane serve as threat for opposition side on the left-flank, sent in some nice crosses that should have been converted.
Sergio Aguero – 7/10
Aguero dispatched the equalizer with a supreme finish, but didn’t show the same composure, missing a few gilt-edged chances in the final moments.
Substitutes
Bacary Sagna – 6/10
Came on in as substitute for Toure in the 65th minute. Sagna held things firm.
Fernando – N/A
Replaced Sane in the 81st minute as Pep looked to protect and carry on with the result.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Simon Mignolet – 7/10
Made one decent save to deny Kevin De Druyne. Dealt with the very little threat that came his way with ease. He couldn’t do anything to keep out Aguero.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Clyne was placed under some serious pressure by Leroy Sane, but thanks to his speed, this was used as a tool through the battle unscathed.
Ragnar Klavan – 6.5/10
Klavan was selected ahead of the fit Dejan Lovren. He put in a decent shift, silenced Aguero in the first half, but failed to stop him from getting the leveler.
Joel Matip – 7.5/10
Another solid and commanding performance at the back by the summer signing. He continue to prove such a shrewd addition for Liverpool.
James Milner – 7/10
Milner was pushed to his limits physically by former Liverpool forward, but was totally up for the challenge. He opened the scoring with a calm, nerveless penalty.
Emre Can – 8/10
Can was strong and tenacious in the middle flank, he was Reds best player on the night. In fact, the derby could be his best performance in Liverpool till date.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Second best player on the night for Liverpool. Wijnaldum barely put a foot wrong. He used the ball well, his discipline, energy were under control.
Adam Lallana – 6/10
Regarded as a relentless runner. However, Lallana missed a complete sitter late in the game that might have assured Liverpool the three points. His always an influence when it comes to moving from box to box.
Sadio Mane – 7.5/10
Had some chances to make Pep Guardiola side suffer but Mane wasn’t at his full best as he normally is. An ideal threat for opposition but could have done better against the Sky Blues.
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
Several chances were created for Firminio but somehow failed to utilize the chances and finds the net. Though, was superb with the way he held up the ball and helping his knit the attacks for Liverpool. Won the penalty.
Philippe Coutinho – 5/10
Looks out of confidence and was mostly anonymous. He was substituted after spending much of the game on the fringes.
Substitutes
Divock Origi – 5/10
Failed to provide any real attacking threat after coming on for Coutinho in the 72nd minute, with Liverpool looking to counter.
Lucas Leiva – N/A
Replaced Firmino in the 89th minute.