The English football kicked off with a ‘Clash of the Giants’ fixture in the Community Shield. It was match between the Best team in the Premier League vs the Best team in Europe. The match was witnessed by 77,500 people on a Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium. Match referee was Martin Atkinson.
Lineups:
Both teams lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation. City staying wide as Guardiola always likes his teams to do, whereas Liverpool played narrow.
First Half Analysis:
The first half saw Liverpool playing in zones, the forwards, the midfield and the defence of Liverpool seemed to operate in their own territories. It looked like easy pickings in the early minutes for the City attack as Liverpool played a high defence. Sterling playing the lone striker role and Leroy Sane running down the wings caused some early trouble for the Liverpool defence. City kept looking for the ball over Alexander-Arnold releasing either Sterling or Sane. It also saw the latest addition to the Guardiola project: Rodri, who cost the Cityzens £62.8 million. It was a trial by fire for the 23 year old who quickly adapted to the game after an initial struggle. The City goal came after some good thinking by the city players from a well crafted free kick. From a Liverpool perspective things didn’t turn out too well in the first half. Wijnaldum was largely ineffective, Origi trying to do the best he could but unable to linkup with any of the Liverpool players, Liverpool unable to release Salah who was easily covered by Zinchenko and Otamendi. Most of the time when Liverpool were defending, the midfield containing Henderson, Fabinho and Wijnaldum stayed too flat. There was only one team on the field that looked match ready and it was not Liverpool.
Second Half Analysis:
The second half pretty much started off the way it was left off, City attacking Liverpool. There was a slight change in midfield for Liverpool as Henderson and Wijnaldum had swapped sides. Henderson pushed the Liverpool attack line and also helped Alexander-Arnold mark Sterling and David Silva. Opportunities fell for both sides; Liverpool from a corner that almost went in and Sterling, released by Walker for City. Salah had a lot of shots on target for Liverpool but failed to convert any. In the second half there were signs of Liverpool from the previous season. Liverpool were rewarded for their efforts in the second half with a goal by substitute Joel Matip. It was a game of two halves really, and Liverpool would have walked away with a victory if not for a goal line clearance by Kyle Walker.
The match was won on penalties by City as there is no extra time in this fixture. It ended 5-4 to the Cityzens, for a save by Bravo on Wijnaldum clinched a victory for them.
MOTM: Kevin De Bruyne. He looked like a real threat for the Liverpool defence with his dribbling and ability to find space. If he continues the he’s been playing and be injury free, I can see him as one of the contenders for the PFA player of the year award.
Things to take away:
- In the end both teams looked ready for another exciting year of Premier League. Although City were the ones that walked away with the silverware ‘again’.
- Liverpool looked like they were lacking match fitness but it would only get better from here onward. There is also the welcome addition of the other stars to both teams after their respective international duties.
- Rodri, the £62.8 million looked like a good fit for the side. Can see him placing himself in the City midfield as a regular for the Guardiola side.
- What’s plan ‘B’ for Liverpool? If any 1 of the front 3 of Liverpool goes missing Liverpool look significantly weaker. Liverpool should look for alternate options that compliment the current three or at least come up with a better set of tactics.
- And maybe it’s time Liverpool considered cashing in on their Champions League star Divock Origi. At the moment he more of a plan ‘C’ rather than a plan ‘B’, and I don’t see him fitting too well in the Jurgen Klopp playing style.