This is Anfield? This is Manchester City’s vulnerability to the counter, actually | Manchester City

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.

Night. The man appears again over his shoulder, mouth open in horror. Too numb to provide greater than token resistance, he acquiesces as his assistant ushers him away. “Forget it, Pep,” he says, “It’s Chinatown.” Streetlights flare as the digicam pans again. A policeman shouts. As sirens wail, a mournful saxophone tremors via the darkness. It’s certainly one of the nice endings: our hero has carried out what he can, however this is a spot the place he can’t win, a spot ruled by forces far stronger than him, a spot with its personal legal guidelines. This is Anfield.

On Sunday, after Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, Pep Guardiola repeated the phrase again and again: “This is Anfield.” He mentioned it to the written press. He mentioned it to the radio. He mentioned it to Sky and he mentioned it to the BBC. “This is Anfield.” And his level was clear: you can’t win right here. Certainly he struggles: Guardiola has gained as soon as at Anfield, however that was throughout lockdown when the stands have been empty. On the seven events he has led a staff there with followers, Guardiola has managed two attracts and 5 defeats.

But this was not a tribute to the inspirational qualities of the Kop. Rather the implication, given he saved uttering the phrase in relation to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s purpose, was that referees are influenced at Anfield – which didn’t make an enormous quantity of sense provided that the essential a part of the choice had been given by the VAR official at Stockley Park, and that it was right.

The line parroted by quite a few City gamers was that Anthony Taylor had let lots go. He had pursued this season’s Premier League tips on encouraging a extra strong fashion of soccer, permitting moments of contact. Why then, on this occasion, make an exception? Why not permit this contact?

To which there are two apparent responses. First, that to permit some contact is not permit all contact and that, given the manner VAR is employed, a stricter interpretation is all the time doubtless in the fast buildup to a purpose. And second, {that a} pull on the shirt is not a shoulder-to-shoulder problem, it’s not two gamers grappling for the ball, it’s not a slight brush of the leg as a sort out is available in. A shirt pull is by no means a official manner of profitable the ball and, greater than that, it exhibits up very clearly on video.

Erling Haaland grabbed Fabinho’s shirt and that is a foul. It doesn’t matter that Fabinho could have been toppling anyway. It doesn’t matter that Taylor’s view was obscured. It doesn’t matter that typically you’ll get away with that type of factor. It was a foul – and so, the officers later mentioned, was the subsequent Haaland problem on Alisson: even had the pull on Fabinho not been penalised, the purpose would have been dominated out. And amid all the City hysteria, it’s maybe price stating that the complete transfer started with a goal-kick that ought to have been a Liverpool nook.

It was a day of frenzied touchline behaviour. Jürgen Klopp additionally discovered himself enraged by the refereeing and that the incident that led to his pink card was the third foul on Mohamed Salah to be ignored doesn’t excuse his eruption. And nor, after all, is there any excusing the cash reportedly thrown by followers at Guardiola. That Klopp ought to serve a touchline ban and that any missile-throwers must be prosecuted is apparent.

But when it comes to the season as an entire, it was Guardiola’s behaviour that fascinated. This has been a rivalry largely unsullied by the type of psychological press-conference warfare that characterised his feud with José Mourinho in Spain. This is nonetheless, clearly, a good distance from that. But Guardiola appeared on edge from the frosty pre-match handshake, lengthy earlier than his gestures to the crowd after Phil Foden’s purpose had been dominated out.

Perhaps that was simply the Anfield issue, however it was laborious not to ponder whether Klopp’s feedback on Friday about the long-term impossibility of competing with state tasks had touched a nerve, much less maybe when it comes to a pang of conscience about the nature and objective of the authorities funding his undertaking, than the suggestion that he is taking part in the Premier League on a better mode.

And it was laborious not to see this season’s first spin of Guardiola’s tactical kaleidoscope in that context. Gone have been the slight tweaks to the normal 4-3-3 and right here as an alternative was a completely surprising form, with João Cancelo taking part in excessive on the proper and Phil Foden dropping comparatively deep on the left, a place that meant he was by no means in a position to expose James Milner at right-back in the manner he had in the equal fixture final season.

If the intention, by providing a de facto again three, was to shore up City’s defences towards the counter – a vulnerability the larger verticality required to service Haaland has heightened – it failed: Salah had already been denied in a one-on-one when he scored, and Darwin Núñez led two late breakaways.

That there have been defensive weaknesses past Haaland’s outstanding objectives return had been uncovered by Newcastle and Crystal Palace. But defeat at Anfield hinted at different flaws. Those points towards the counter are most likely extra a consider the latter phases of European competitors than the Premier League however, if Guardiola is feeling the strain, if this is greater than an Anfield concern, it might be as nicely for City that this week’s scheduled recreation towards the leaders Arsenal has been rearranged. Perhaps it’s simply Anfield, however maybe it’s greater than that.