CITY vs LIVERPOOL ANALYSIS: A THREAD
A game of two halves as City finally get a win at Anfield after ages. This thread I'll analyse both the halves in detail and how City managed to perform at that level in the second half after a poor first half.

1. The first half
• City's shape on and off the ball
Pep stuck with the same 3-2-5 buildup with Cancelo dropping as the double pivot. Off the ball we used the 4-3-3 formation with Foden as CF and Mahrez, Sterling as wide players.

• The problem off the ball
Although Foden struggled in that role off the ball, the general pressing pattern was also the reaaon for City struggling to stop Liverpool from building up. Liverpool CBs were easily able to bypass the first press and find a midfielder.

City also struggled to buildup on the ball and Pep immediately changed by dropping Silva to the right back spot, but again Liverpool were able to deal with it by pressing him with one of their central midfielders.

• Liverpool's pattern was simple. Find a midfielder in space and immediately switch the ball to the wingbacks who were in space because our wingers were forward. Although they didn't score they dominated the ball and were in control for majority of the half.

The sign to change the shape was shown by Bernardo Silva as early as 5th minute. Here Jones was put under pressure and it forced Alisson to clear the ball.

2. The second half
Pep changed the shape to a 4-4-2/4-2-4. So it stopped the progression through midfield for Liverpool. When Bernardo pressed one CB Foden marked the CM of Liverpool and same applied to Silva when Foden pressed. Alisson was left no choice but to go long.

Infact that's what led to the first goal. Liverpool's CB and the GK did not have an option and were forced to go long. Zinchenko won the long ball and the move started which resulted in Gundogan's first goal.

• After the goal went in Klopp started dropping one of his wingbacks(later central midfielder) as a 3rd CB and it gave an extra option for Liverpool to buildup effectively. That's how Salah's goal was scored. Trent dropping deep had time and space and picked out a long ball.

3. The game-changer: Introduction of Jesus
Mahrez was struggling all game to track Robertson so the introduction of Jesus at 1-1 was a killer move by Pep. City's pressing and marking elevated and it forced mistakes out of Alisson who was lost for options.

4. The game of 6 yard boxes:
City were strong in the both the boxes. The first half while defending the 6 yard box the second attacking the 6 yard box and I think that is one of the main reasons for the victory. The change in shape allowed City to attack the box in numbers.

Conclusion:
The perception that the goals were only Alisson's fault is wrong. City deserve credit for forcing him to do that mistake. In these kind of games it's very important to be clinical and although we missed a pen we were clincial in open play.

Massive credits to Pep and the coaching staffs for realising and changing the shape and outplaying Liverpool. This win is a statement result and the players showed what it meant in the end.