PLAYER RATINGS: MANCHESTER CITY 4-1 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool succumbed to yet another away defeat, going down 4-1 to defending champions Manchester City. The Reds took the lead through Salah but saw Alvarez level before the break. A second half capitulation followed, with City cruising to victory. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 5

Unreal save from Grealish’s curler. Blocked his close range effort as well. Could have come off his line quicker for the De Bruyne goal.

Alexander-Arnold – 3.5

Played a great ball into Jota for the opener. Couldn’t lay a glove on Grealish. Just stood off him and allowed him do whatever he pleased. Ducked out of a 50-50 tackle in midfield and two passes later, De Bruyne was tapping home. Got annoyed late on when he was the only one interested in pressing the City defence.

Konaté – 4

Gave the ball away when he stepped into midfield to pick a pass. Was bamboozled by the sheer movement and fluidity of City’s attack.

Van Dijk – 3

A fading force I’m afraid. All over the place at the back, with the defensive line being pulled this way and that. Backed off Mahrez and allowed him cut his way through for their second goal. No composure either, as he sliced passes into touch under no pressure.

Robertson – 3

Poor. Got into some incredible positions in the final third and his final ball was woeful every time. Not as assured defensively either, with Mahrez causing him a myriad of problems. He played the Algerian onside for the second goal.

Fabinho – 3

Started the game by giving away three needless free kicks in the space of five minutes. Was decent first half but back to his non-existent self second half. Gundogan was constantly free in the box, with Fabinho always lagging behind. Grealish’s goal was a typical example. Too slow, too modest, not aggressive enough.

Elliott – 4.5

Played well first half. Connected well with Salah and helped Trent out defensively. Second half he wasn’t good enough. As an attacking midfielder, he didn’t create enough chances today. His attempted shots were easily cut out as they were too telegraphed.

Henderson – 4

Put in a lot of work on the left side of midfield. Second half the side just gave up. It was disgraceful to watch to be honest. City were passing the ball at will, just toying with the Reds and the captain showed zero fight or leadership to get stuck in and halt the embarrassing passing sequence.

Salah – 6

Took his goal with such aplomb. First time hit, with such swerve. Should have found Jota for what would have made it 2-0 but his poor pass was easily cut out by Grealish. His passing wasn’t great in that regard but he posed the side’s only real threat.

Gakpo – 6

I thought he looked promising in that false nine role. Dropped deep to pick up the ball in the half spaces and drove upfield on a number of occasions. Brought Trent’s ball wonderfully in the box before seeing his shot blocked by Ederson in the second half.

Jota – 5

Perhaps a surprise inclusion in the lineup but proved an inspired selection in the first half. His well timed run and layoff to Salah brought the opening goal. He went on a few purposeful runs as well before the break. Second half he was anonymous.

Substitutes

Tsimikas – N/A

Meh.

Oxlade-Chamberlain -N/A

He had just come on and was walking as Grealish and co exchanged passes to score the third goal. That’s disgusting. Why he’s even making the matchday squad ahead of Carvalho I have no clue.

Firmino – N/A

Meh.

Darwin – N/A

Meh.

Milner – N/A

On to equal Lampard as the player with the third most appearances in Premier League history.

Jürgen Klopp

3-1 down on the hour mark and he looked like he had given up. No wonder his players followed suit. Taking off Salah and co seemed to underline that feeling. None of the substitutes had any fight about them. These are worrying times.