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Worrying times for Liverpool as City are a class apart.
Published by Ian John on August 24, 2010
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Last night’s big game at Eastlands showed the contrasting fortunes of two of North-West England’s premiere teams in stark and at times cruel detail. Manchester City, blessed with the limitless spending power bestowed upon the club by the new owner, displayed a squad that saw them have the likes of David Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor only on the bench. They had a centre half playing at left back but were still far too strong for Liverpool, running out comfortable 3-0 winners on the night.
It was an excellent performance by City. Led by the scampering, effervescent Carlos Tevez and the promptings of Adam Johnson and James Milner, City gave a fine example of how to play the 4-5-1 formation. Tevez energy and movement allied to the forward running of Johnson and Milner in particular, caused Liverpool many problems and in truth, had City grabbed another goal it would not have flattered them, such was their dominance on the night.
For Liverpool, it is a harsh lesson in football reality. Still dogged with ownership issues and now beset with Javier Mascherano overtly stating his desire to move to Barcelona from Anfield, the team went into the game realising that a defeat would leave then five points behind Chelsea and with at least a goal difference of -13 to catch up. In the end it is now -15. That is after two games and that gap, many Liverpool fans fear, may only grow over the coming weeks and months.
Unfortunately for Hodgson, there is little he can do in the current climate. Until the bigger issue of the clubs ownership is resolved, then the likable ex-Fulham boss, who is already winning an army of new fans to his side through his intelligent and insightful post-match comments and reticence to stir up issues needlessly, has little hope of making the changes required to enable his Liverpool team to start bridging the gap between them and the top sides in the Premier League.
Fundamentally, it is down to finance. If we compare the two teams, Manchester City have been able to send Craig Bellamy out on loan to Cardiff City, pay almost all his wages and still have a bench that included some of the most expensive footballers in world football, such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Jo and David Silva. For sure, Liverpool have a first XI that can arguably give City’s a game (certainly more so than they did last night) but after that the quality just evaporates. Would David Ngog get anywhere near the Man City first team? Dani Pacheco? Lucas?
However it wasn’t finance that resulted in last nights showing. Mancini’s City played very well. Adam Johnson showed why Daniel Agger is not a left back and caused the Danish defender untold problems all game long. The lack of recognised left back once again left Liverpool’s defence in tatters at times. Tevez movement was sublime, Milner provided the energy and workrate while the dogged determination of De Jong covered defensively alongside the mercurial Barry. City kept Liverpool quiet defensively too and even when Hart was called into action, the England man made an excellent save to deny Torres. On this evidence, City seem set to take on the role of real contenders this season, but Mancini will know that he will need similar performances and results when he takes on the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, if they are to really impact on the top two this season.
For Liverpool, it is a rather empty feeling. The team didn’t play well after the first goal and were cruelly exposed. Old defensive lapses, left back and marking from corners, cost them two goals but in truth City deserved them anyway. Mascherano’s absence was keenly felt in midfield where Gerrard spent most of the game doing the Argentinean’s job alongside the willing but limited Lucas and the club still have not addressed the issue of getting speedy wingers that allow them to stretch the game and deliver quality balls from wide areas into the box. Something that even Mancini has addressed in his signing of Johnson and Milner. Sadly, even if he wanted to, Hodgson doesn’t have the cash available to do that. It must have stuck in the craw somewhat to see David Silva, a player who would have been ideal for Liverpool on the flank, sat in the stands for the 90 minutes.
For City, they need to use this result as a foundation to push on and really threaten the top two in the EPL. For Liverpool, it is a result which leaves them fourth from bottom and well aware that the gap between the club and the top teams cannot be breached by one or two make-do signings. It requires a total change in direction at the club, that can only come from a new owner with significant funds to invest on the top players and with a long-term business plan to put Liverpool back on the top of the English game.
Until that happens, Red fans can look forward to a few more 3-0 drubbings at the hands of the new Premiership elite.
Image Courtesy of Frengoa 669 on Photobucket.com
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