Liverpool: Tactical error led to missed opportunity in Manchester City draw

Liverpool arrived at the Etihad Stadium with a fantastic opportunity ahead of them. They missed that opportunity, but still managed to snatch an acceptable draw.

Liverpool may have earned a positive outcome with a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, but the result was not as good as it could have been. Despite the positive scoreline, the game was a missed opportunity for the Reds.

Liverpool were outplayed in the opening 30 minutes of the match, but steadily grew into the contest. City had a Champions League game midweek and were clearly feeling the effects of that adventure as the game wore on.

Coming into this game, City had played five games in 15 days. Meanwhile, during that same time span, Liverpool had played just three – and had a full week’s rest leading into this fixture at the Etihad. Liverpool already should have sensed an opportunity before the game even started.

It didn’t look that way early on. However, as the game approached half time, City’s energy levels dropped dramatically. All the away team had to do was get through the first three or four rounds, and then their opponent was pretty much out on their feet. There to be beat.

A penalty put the Reds up in the 51st minute. From there, it should have only got worse for City. Liverpool should have pressed more and finished the home team off. But instead, they retreated. Sat back trying to hold on to a slender one-goal lead. Why?

More from The Top Flight

Prior to the goal, the game was frenetic and going end to end with each attack. It was perfect for Liverpool. City surely couldn’t maintain that pace, and that proved true. But once Liverpool went ahead, the Guardiola’s men didn’t have to maintain that pace anymore.

The Reds sat deep and allowed City to camp out in their half and probe for an equalizer. In the 69th minute, that equalizer came. Aguero scored to make it 1-1. City were suddenly in the ascendancy. Home crowd riled up.

How did you end up here, Liverpool?

It should have been so different. Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp and his team, they held on for a draw, and even had chances towards the end to grab a win. But the game never had to go this way. A late goal would only have been a let-off.

Now, if Liverpool were a good defensive team, then the switch in approach would have been a wise idea. But the Reds are nowhere near good enough defensively to be sitting off of one of the best offensive teams in the Premier League and trying to defend.

Next: Liverpool draw exposed Man City's lack of squad depth

Liverpool are a front-foot team. On the back foot, they’re vulnerable. Being on the front foot, attacking, wasn’t even as dangerous as it might have been due to City flagging as the game progressed.

There was no reason for Liverpool to back up. Doing so was an error. An error which saw the Reds miss a great opportunity for a statement win over top-four rivals Manchester City.

Home/Analysis