Five key talking points from Manchester City vs Liverpool

The fixtures between Manchester City and Liverpool without a doubt have been some of the most entertaining and goal scoring games of the Premier League in the last few years. Be it Coutinho’s last minute strike in a stunning 3-2 win, or Jovetic’s stunning performance in the same fixture last season, the fixture has always delivered.

The first of the two meetings of this season between the side ended with Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool, as Klopp’s Liverpool has started to take shape.

The talking points from the match are:-

1. Nicolas Otamendi should have started for City

Following a mega money move to City, Otamendi has been one of the rocks in the City defence. His partnership with Kompany is arguably the best central defence pairing City should utilize. While Kompany was not able to shake off a calf injury, it was surprising to see Otamendi on the bench, with Demichelis and Mangala starting in defence.

They were woeful, with the first goal for the visitors coming through a Mangala own goal and Demichelis unable to fully cope with the Liverpool attack. Had Otamendi started in place of either one of them, Liverpool might have had a tougher time breaching past City’s defence.

2. Kun Agüero is still the most lethal finisher in the Premier League

It was the first match in seven weeks for Sergio Agüero. The last time he had played at the Etihad, he had 5 goals to his name against Newcastle United. From past experiences, Agüero takes a few games to regain his stride after a spell on the sidelines. Yet, at least for City, they should be glad he is back, scoring a stunning goal just before half time. There was nothing that could have stopped a strike like that.

While he could not finish the game, at least City’s major attacking threat is back and firing. Form and fitness is temporary, class is permanent. Agüero will be looking to catch Vardy for the Premier League Golden Boot.

3. Brazilian Duo of Liverpool

Liverpool’s number 10 and 11 are the new Brazilian duo for the club. This was Firmino’s finest game with the Liverpool side, and Coutinho has been one of the best players of the team over the last couple of seasons and by far the best in the last few games.

In this game, they showed their devastating combination and movements together, with each assisting the other’s goal. Firmino could have added a couple more courtesy of some amazing passes from Coutinho. If they can keep these kind of performances up for the future, Liverpool possess a new attacking combination.

4. Kompany is by far, the most important member for City

Kompany has been the key man in defence for City, especially during crunch games. However, when he is not on the field, City are woeful in defence, and they miss his overall leadership on the pitch. Other senior players hardly step up.

City were without a leader on the pitch, and that impacted the overall morale and performance of the team, that was more or less, second best during the game tonight.

5. Klopp’s Liverpool

He has the exact same set of players like his predecessor, but Klopp’s Liverpool are a totally new team. The style of play is rubbing off, the morale and confidence is high. Also his set up is excellent, as the team has the ability to operate and be a threat, with or without a proper striker at the helm. Scoring goals was a problem for Liverpool since 2014/15 but with this 4 goal haul, that problem might soon be a thing of the past for Liverpool.

At the back, while Sakho has been key for Klopp’s defence, Lovern had a good game as the Liverpool defence were able to hold of the Citizens attack, especially in the second half.

So, Klopp has masterminded two large wins- first at Stamford Bridge and now at Etihad Stadium. Will he be able to get his first Premier League win at home against a struggling Swansea side?