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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter at Anfield

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City: Premier League player ratings

Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with the ball after scoring the equaliser from the penalty spot
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with the ball after scoring the equaliser from the penalty spot. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Caoimhín Kelleher Another key contribution when spreading himself well to deny Foden. Got away with one when punching against the same player. 7/10

Conor Bradley Started strongly, defending stoutly and finding gaps in attack in the first half, before fading. 6

Jarell Quansah An assured display from the 21-year-old. Alert to danger and helped keep Haaland and Álvarez quiet. 7

Virgil van Dijk Marshalled an inexperienced defence superbly and foiled Foden, Haaland and De Bruyne with perfect interceptions. 8

Joe Gomez Recovered well after a torrid start against Foden. Much stronger and sharper in the second half, and more effective at right-back. 7

Alexis Mac Allister Always positive, tidy on the ball and hungry off it – a display you might expect from a Guardiola midfielder. 9

Wataru Endo At his best when City threatened to get on top. Made numerous recoveries and frustrated De Bruyne. 8

Dominik Szoboszlai A big ask to start for the first time in six weeks in a game of this intensity and it showed. 6

Harvey Elliott Won’t get the plaudits but his tenacity, versatility and industry were so important in limiting City. 7

Darwin Núñez Pounced to win the penalty but otherwise on the margins. Frequently offside and shocked to be subbed. 7

Luís Diaz Work rate and trickery merit praise but missed three huge chances in quick succession to make the difference. 6

Substitutes: Mohamed Salah (for Szoboszlai 60) Troubled City when he came on but lacked the sharpness to torment them again. 6

Andy Robertson (for Bradley 60) Improved Liverpool’s balance and threat from the left. 6

Cody Gakpo (for Núñez 76) Little chance to make an impression. 5

Manchester City (4-1-4-1)

Ederson Slow to react to the pace of Núñez for the penalty and injured in the process. Could be a big miss. 6

Kyle Walker Speed of mind and foot enabled him to thwart several Liverpool attacks. Overhit several deliveries. 7

John Stones Polished in central defence, alongside Rodri in midfield and in front of goal. An outstanding contribution. 9

Manuel Akanji Relished the physical battle with Núñez and commanding in the air. Gave Stones the freedom to roam. 8

Nathan Aké Ruined a solid display with the poor backpass that cost his team the lead and their goalkeeper. 6

Rodri Controlled the tempo of the first half but booked close to half-time and less influential afterwards. 8

Phil Foden Found the openings but not the end product to repeat his Manchester derby heroics. What a first touch. 7

Kevin De Bruyne Unhappy to be taken off but could have no complaints after a wasteful display. “We were better after,” said Guardiola, pointedly. 6

Bernardo Silva Sacrificed his creative flair to improve City’s control in central midfield. Rattled in the second half but improved out wide. 6

Julián Álvarez Given plenty of opportunity to hurt the Liverpool defence but lacked conviction. Replaced by the more effective Jérémy Doku. 6

Erling Haaland The big showdown with Van Dijk failed to materialise. Starved of chances and subdued as a result. 6

Substitutes: Stefan Ortega (for Ederson 56) Minimised the potential disruption with an assured performance. 7

Jérémy Doku (for Álvarez 69) Improved City’s pace on the counter and overall threat. Unlucky not to win it. 7

Mateo Kovacic (for De Bruyne 69) Helped City regain the degree of control they had lost early in the second half. 7

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