⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Uhwuchukwu53]

The Liverpool coach mis calculated the game between him and man city though Man City capacity would have win them but won't have been three goals for nothing just as they hard propelled by the red card conceive by Liverpool midfielder Ryan, I can't understand why coach have not seen the yellow card as a red line warning that would have leads him to remove him before the worse danger happened because considering their play at the first half Liverpool never give Man City the space to even get a goal if not the red card Man City would have ended in draw or the least one goal wining rather than scoring three goals in that very match, it's a lesson for Coach why keeping your midfielder that have the capacity to replace until a red card is conceive for me is calculation error.

[Tonimez]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

A three goals to none, was really a bad one from the side of the Liverpool. I was expecting it to be a very tight game but Liverpool showed too much pressure to have given in for such red card. They could have even draw in this match and it was what I was expecting at some stage. A draw would not have been bad but from 65th minute just shortly after Gravenberch red card was announced, everything just went the other way round for Liverpool. Haaland made the first goal, and in less than 3 minutes, Doku gave the second goal while the winning goal was delivered smoothly by Cherki and all efforts which seem like a good hard fight all went in vain. Manchester City indeed showed too much confidence to Liverpool in this game.

To an extent I don't think Liverpool deserves much blame on their lost in today's game because even before the game we know it won't be an easy one for them. if not for the unpredictable red card that came at the 60th minute of the game i don't think Manchester City would have succeeded the same way they did at last.
From beginning Liverpool had am impressive start but lost it all immediately after the red card when am sure would have ended in a draw at the end of the game. Although if not for the lost in confidence immediately after to red card I believe the goals won't have been that much at it was at last.

Red card in the 62 minute of the match probably had a negative impact on the entire Liverpool team. In the following periods, the Manchester City forwards increased the pace of the attack and the first goal was scored by Erling Haaland in the 65th minute of the match and the team was able to score two more goals in a very short period of time. It has been a great time for Manchester City because by winning this match, they have increased the point gap over Arsenal and are at the top. Liverpool did not have many weaknesses, especially in the first half, Liverpool were more aggressive than Manchester City. The team needed to maintain their good form throughout the match but a red card hindered the team's continuity.

I think that Andoni Iraola actually came for a draw in that game since I don't know why he couldn't get a goal in the first half. The Liverpool side dominated that first half making 4 shots to zero initially before Enzo Fernandez registered a shot. The entire process of the game before the red card seemed like Liverpool was going to win but the mistake made by the coach with his delayed substitution was among the set back he had. Red card is part of the game and many teams don't perform with red card especially on big stages and their own came quite early. Manchester city pressured the team after the red card leading to Haaland's goal. Doku also changed the pace of the game when he stepped on the pitch. Manchester city has become the first team to beat Liverpool back to back at Anfield since 1953.

[Olatundespo]

The Liverpool coach mis calculated the game between him and man city though Man City capacity would have win them but won't have been three goals for nothing just as they hard propelled by the red card conceive by Liverpool midfielder Ryan, I can't understand why coach have not seen the yellow card as a red line warning that would have leads him to remove him before the worse danger happened because considering their play at the first half Liverpool never give Man City the space to even get a goal if not the red card Man City would have ended in draw or the least one goal wining rather than scoring three goals in that very match, it's a lesson for Coach why keeping your midfielder that have the capacity to replace until a red card is conceive for me is calculation error.

If you analyze the style of play of Liverpool in the first half, it was better than that of Manchester City. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola probably sent the players on the field with the mental preparation to draw the match and was handling the situation quite well but the danger came when important midfielder Ryan Gravenberch got a red card. Liverpool team had the ability to fight on the field with 10 players but they could not maintain the consistency of the way they were playing from the beginning due to being one player less.

Manchester City players were looking for opportunities and they scored 3 goals in a very short time. Although the rationality of the red card can be debated but it is part of the game and the team has to be prepared for any situation and not get upset and continue playing normally. Liverpool team was fully prepared to draw and it seems to me that the match might have been a draw but in a very short time all the calculations changed.

[len01]

If you analyze the style of play of Liverpool in the first half, it was better than that of Manchester City. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola probably sent the players on the field with the mental preparation to draw

No, Andoni Iraola was not expecting a draw. In fact, the statistics showed that Liverpool had a good chance to score early and win the match. Liverpool were far superior in the first half, with an xG of 0.47 compared to City's 0.08. Besides that, Liverpool also had more shots and corners, which gave them more opportunities to score. So it makes no sense to say that Liverpool only wanted a draw.
https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/liverpool-fc-manchester-city/rU#tab:statistics

Liverpool team had the ability to fight on the field with 10 players but they could not maintain the consistency of the way they were playing from the beginning due to being one player less.

For me, it is not about consistency but Andoni Iraola's mistake of still trying to score despite having only 10 players. If he really wanted a draw, he should have used a fully defensive approach or parked the bus to make it harder for City to score.

[NewRevelation]

If you analyze the style of play of Liverpool in the first half, it was better than that of Manchester City. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola probably sent the players on the field with the mental preparation to draw

No, Andoni Iraola was not expecting a draw. In fact, the statistics showed that Liverpool had a good chance to score early and win the match. Liverpool were far superior in the first half, with an xG of 0.47 compared to City's 0.08. Besides that, Liverpool also had more shots and corners, which gave them more opportunities to score. So it makes no sense to say that Liverpool only wanted a draw.
https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/liverpool-fc-manchester-city/rU#tab:statistics

Liverpool team had the ability to fight on the field with 10 players but they could not maintain the consistency of the way they were playing from the beginning due to being one player less.

For me, it is not about consistency but Andoni Iraola's mistake of still trying to score despite having only 10 players. If he really wanted a draw, he should have used a fully defensive approach or parked the bus to make it harder for City to score.

I don't think anybody goes into a game with a draw mindset, Nope, not even at the present state of Liverpool where they are struggling to win matches and wants to climb up the table. I dont think they went for a draw. The both teams went to win and it was clearly shown in there performance on the pitch, but it was unfortunate that they couldn't score and city finally won after the read card.

Liverpool are largely affected by there injury problems, and apart from that, they haven't been on a good start since the beginning of the season. So the win from city was expected and not a shock to me.

[giammangiato]

The Liverpool coach mis calculated the game between him and man city though Man City capacity would have win them but won't have been three goals for nothing just as they hard propelled by the red card conceive by Liverpool midfielder Ryan, I can't understand why coach have not seen the yellow card as a red line warning that would have leads him to remove him before the worse danger happened because considering their play at the first half Liverpool never give Man City the space to even get a goal if not the red card Man City would have ended in draw or the least one goal wining rather than scoring three goals in that very match, it's a lesson for Coach why keeping your midfielder that have the capacity to replace until a red card is conceive for me is calculation error.

I was hesitant and I can say I did well, I was wrong to place a bet on a possible Liverpool win, but these are risks that must be taken.
I certainly didn't expect a crushing defeat, they couldn't even place the consolation goal.
I have to agree with all the users who saw Manchester City dominate the match.
Every game has a start and an end within those 90 minutes, I have hope for a possible Liverpool recovery from this bad defeat, in two days they will face Lask in the Champions League, certainly a completely different team from City, but at least they should play better regardless of their opponent.
They won't have a long life in the Champions League (considering their current performances) but at least they have to play reasonably well for the shirt.

[Ruttoshi]

I was hesitant and I can say I did well, I was wrong to place a bet on a possible Liverpool win, but these are risks that must be taken.
I certainly didn't expect a crushing defeat, they couldn't even place the consolation goal.
I have to agree with all the users who saw Manchester City dominate the match.
Every game has a start and an end within those 90 minutes, I have hope for a possible Liverpool recovery from this bad defeat, in two days they will face Lask in the Champions League, certainly a completely different team from City, but at least they should play better regardless of their opponent.
They won't have a long life in the Champions League (considering their current performances) but at least they have to play reasonably well for the shirt.

Don't worry yourself about Liverpool performance in their next UCL match because, I believe that they will use the anger and frustration from their last defeat by City yesterday to dismantle LASK defense. They will definitely, win the game.

One thing you should understand about football is that, short one is a big disaster to any club especially, if their opponents is as strong as they are. That was why Liverpool lost the game. So, don't feel bad that their performance isn't good enough. You don't expect to play City with one man down in the early minutes of the second half and share point with them.

[OsaiEmma]

The red card was a little too harsh and i think that really changed the game in Man Citys way. Liverpool was playing good the entire match until they gotten the red card. I wonder what would have happened in the match if they didnt get the red card. Doku was really torchring them on the wing and they didnt have a solution for him and he really destroyed them.

The referee could have just given the foul without a second yellow and would have being absolutely right. It was way back in Manchester City’s half, several players in position to defend the ball and the point of contact was his thighs or so. Certainly wasn’t intentional but, it’s the EPL and once more, a lot of persons are complaining of Manchester City being at it again as that card ruined the game for Liverpool, it’s the reason they lost.

Let's be honest, both tackles that led to the red card deserves a yellow, but the second could've been overlooked. The first was a stomp, the second a behind tackle from a potential counter, we can't say it was unfair. But I agree that the second yellow wasn't necessary; at the end of the day, it's the referee's call.

Meanwhile, the red card completely changed the pace of the game. Before the red card, Liverpool were creating better goal scoring opportunities than Mancity. Just as Liverpool's coach Iraola said, Liverpool played two games today—before and after the red card.

[KingsDen]

Looking at the Liverpool starting XI I am not confident at all now. No Isak, Gakpo, Ekitike or Szoboszlai. We look short on quality and especially weak on the bench.

I would gladly take a draw, I think Man City will win.

It also predicted Man city to win, and they actually did. Despite all these key players being out, Liverpool also controlled the game more than I anticipated, they had a few chances, but lacked a decent finisher, the youngsters Koumas isn't that experienced to cover that No 9 position. Coming into the second half, Liverpool had clear goal scoring opportunities but couldn't convert any. Gravenberch was outstanding for Liverpool in the midfield until he conceded a second yellow card and was sent off. City immediately took advantage of the situation and later scored 3 goals to seal the win at Anfield.

To be honest, I don't think City would have won by such margin if Liverpool key players were fit, but nevertheless City claimed all three points. City have now won 6 out of 6 games played.

[sotelorene]

I don't think anybody goes into a game with a draw mindset, Nope, not even at the present state of Liverpool where they are struggling to win matches and wants to climb up the table. I dont think they went for a draw. The both teams went to win and it was clearly shown in there performance on the pitch, but it was unfortunate that they couldn't score and city finally won after the read card.

Liverpool are largely affected by there injury problems, and apart from that, they haven't been on a good start since the beginning of the season. So the win from city was expected and not a shock to me.

Yes, there are people or team that goes into the game with a draw mentality and this is because they have checked themselves and realized they are not fit or good to play a particular team so, in such situation what the underdog will be praying and hoping for will be a draw and they will be okay with it but In the case of Liverpool and Manchester city, I can not really say any of them is an under dog because they are both strong teams in the League though Manchester city was seen as favorite because of their recent plays and fortunately for them, they were favored.

[Accardo]

I can not really say any of them is an under dog because they are both strong teams in the League though Manchester city was seen as favorite because of their recent plays and fortunately for them, they were favored.

On the midfield, City was the favorite, Anderson happened to be a better signing this season, his dominance in the midfield, yesterday, was as remarkable as Rodri's when he played for City. Off the pitch, Liverpool was the favorite, and City the underdogs, called out for their crisis by thousands of fans in the pitch, some team wouldn't have won if they found themselves in a situation like City did yesterday. The blues were emotionally strong.

[Ashawowo(OS)]

I think that Andoni Iraola actually came for a draw in that game since I don't know why he couldn't get a goal in the first half. The Liverpool side dominated that first half making 4 shots to zero initially before Enzo Fernandez registered a shot. The entire process of the game before the red card seemed like Liverpool was going to win but the mistake made by the coach with his delayed substitution was among the set back he had. Red card is part of the game and many teams don't perform with red card especially on big stages and their own came quite early. Manchester city pressured the team after the red card leading to Haaland's goal. Doku also changed the pace of the game when he stepped on the pitch. Manchester city has become the first team to beat Liverpool back to back at Anfield since 1953.

Seriously?
 Is Andoni Iraola the one on the pitch?
The players couldn't get a goal because they were less precise in their shooting and Manchester City has a strong defense as well. R.Neves denied Barcola a clear shooting opportunity that should've converted. I think these players from other leagues are finding it difficult to adapt to Liverpool, talking about Frimpong and now Barcola.

I don't like that red card, the game lost it's competitiveness the moment it was issued, should I say the referee helped Manchester City win the match?

[HajiBagi]

The Liverpool coach mis calculated the game between him and man city though Man City capacity would have win them but won't have been three goals for nothing just as they hard propelled by the red card conceive by Liverpool midfielder Ryan, I can't understand why coach have not seen the yellow card as a red line warning that would have leads him to remove him before the worse danger happened because considering their play at the first half Liverpool never give Man City the space to even get a goal if not the red card Man City would have ended in draw or the least one goal wining rather than scoring three goals in that very match, it's a lesson for Coach why keeping your midfielder that have the capacity to replace until a red card is conceive for me is calculation error.

Liverpool coach have nothing to do with that game, in fact he did a very good job, because i don’t expect Liverpool to play like that after noticing that some key players are not going to play the match, Isak did not start the match because of his injury during international break, and Szoboslai is not available for the match and they still play the game well, Manchester City start scoring after Liverpool player got sent off and we all know that is the main reason why Liverpool lose the match.

If Liverpool player did not get a red card the match will be 50/50 because if Manchester City score Liverpool will have a chance to equalise, the referee is the one who spoil the match, that red card is too harsh, and the referee should be banned from officiating big games in premier league, no any referee will give a red card in big games if there is no reckless tackle or foul, so Liverpool coach has nothing to do with the loss.

[Jerrycrypto2024]

I think that Andoni Iraola actually came for a draw in that game since I don't know why he couldn't get a goal in the first half. The Liverpool side dominated that first half making 4 shots to zero initially before Enzo Fernandez registered a shot. The entire process of the game before the red card seemed like Liverpool was going to win but the mistake made by the coach with his delayed substitution was among the set back he had. Red card is part of the game and many teams don't perform with red card especially on big stages and their own came quite early. Manchester city pressured the team after the red card leading to Haaland's goal. Doku also changed the pace of the game when he stepped on the pitch. Manchester city has become the first team to beat Liverpool back to back at Anfield since 1953.

Seriously?
 Is Andoni Iraola the one on the pitch?
The players couldn't get a goal because they were less precise in their shooting and Manchester City has a strong defense as well. R.Neves denied Barcola a clear shooting opportunity that should've converted. I think these players from other leagues are finding it difficult to adapt to Liverpool, talking about Frimpong and now Barcola.

I don't like that red card, the game lost it's competitiveness the moment it was issued, should I say the referee helped Manchester City win the match?

Well everyone opinion is correct pending the angle of view that's my own assertion, I will state coach is not new in the game of football where he knew the strength and weight of the opponent they are playing with and having a major midfielder on yellow card is a sign that he would have applied for change because gambling with that redline of yellow is more dangerous, it's disadvantage is worst than changing another midfielder even if Ryan is more experience than others on bench, to the area of the players they performance beyond expectations first half man City couldn't not even smell a goal , the red card is just the opportunity they have else they would have ended draw, many are arguing that the red card the incident does not warrant such but it has been issued and referee has the final decision, beside are there no VAR, other referees that over see what played in the game , it's high gambling to all a player with yellow such as midfielder who will always attack to continue for long time with yellow where player like haaland is huzzling for any possible attack to  take victory.

[Samlucky O]

I don't think anybody goes into a game with a draw mindset, Nope, not even at the present state of Liverpool where they are struggling to win matches and wants to climb up the table. I dont think they went for a draw. The both teams went to win and it was clearly shown in there performance on the pitch, but it was unfortunate that they couldn't score and city finally won after the read card.

Liverpool are largely affected by there injury problems, and apart from that, they haven't been on a good start since the beginning of the season. So the win from city was expected and not a shock to me.

This is not entirely true, there are teams who goes into the field with the mentality of playing draw if the opponent is bigger than them, you see them frustrating, fouling and defending almost the entire match just to get a draw from it. They know they cannot win if they play to the strength of the opponent, instead they stay back, absorb the pressure by devoting more men in a defensive position to prevent the other team from scoring, this method works for them at times not always. You must have seen matches whereby a particular team played nothing or made little or no attempt to score whereas the other team made all efforts to score but couldn't and the match will end 0:0. Liverpool doesn't apply to this category because they are a top team, the teams I'm referring to are mostly the underdogs.

[Luzin]

If Liverpool player did not get a red card the match will be 50/50 because if Manchester City score Liverpool will have a chance to equalise, the referee is the one who spoil the match, that red card is too harsh, and the referee should be banned from officiating big games in premier league, no any referee will give a red card in big games if there is no reckless tackle or foul, so Liverpool coach has nothing to do with the loss.

I quite admire the Man City players who played well even though they were under the pressure of the FFP case charged against them. The victory at Liverpool's home also seems to be quite a special win for them. Indeed, Man City only managed to score after Ryan Gravenberch received a red card. This indicates that Liverpool was actually trying to match Man City's play. At first, I was confident Man City could win by a one-goal margin. So I was very confident and bet on Liverpool, but it seems I was unlucky. Gravenberch's stupidity caused me and Liverpool to lose. LOL

[Sticky Bomb]

I was hesitant and I can say I did well, I was wrong to place a bet on a possible Liverpool win, but these are risks that must be taken.
I certainly didn't expect a crushing defeat, they couldn't even place the consolation goal.
I have to agree with all the users who saw Manchester City dominate the match.
Every game has a start and an end within those 90 minutes, I have hope for a possible Liverpool recovery from this bad defeat, in two days they will face Lask in the Champions League, certainly a completely different team from City, but at least they should play better regardless of their opponent.
They won't have a long life in the Champions League (considering their current performances) but at least they have to play reasonably well for the shirt.

Don't worry yourself about Liverpool performance in their next UCL match because, I believe that they will use the anger and frustration from their last defeat by City yesterday to dismantle LASK defense. They will definitely, win the game.

No guarantees... But Liverpool is surely the better side in that match.. Seems PSG scammed Liverpool with Barcola. His performance so far is not commendable. Maybe he needs more time to fully adapt

One thing you should understand about football is that, short one is a big disaster to any club especially, if their opponents is as strong as they are. That was why Liverpool lost the game. So, don't feel bad that their performance isn't good enough. You don't expect to play City with one man down in the early minutes of the second half and share point with them.

Manchester City didn't give them any chance to requirements themselves before loading them with goals. Very much likely of them. Haaland missed a chat one on one but made up for it 3 minutes after the red card. Doku looked brighter than Ndiaye on that left wing, I could only wonder why Maresca prefers Ndiaye to start.

[Abbatty]

I am really saying this with a heavy heart, it so sad to see Florian Witz become a shadow of what he was at Bayern leverkusen. Seeing him dropping stinkers performance weeks in week out is really sad. We all know how good of a player he is, he his a player with an unbelievable talent, but it not just working out for him in the premier league. After watching him yesterday again  and seeing how bad he played, I really feel for him.

He was very good for Germany at the international break, but now back to Liverpool, he can’t even create a chance. He have just 7 goals contribution in all competitions since he moved to Liverpool, he really needs to improve, if not I won’t be surprised if he want a move out of Anfield real soon.

[Cryptmuster]

I hope you placed a bet! That would have been at least one useful outcome from this game. Personally, I decided to sit it out because I’m biased when it comes to United - but yeah, things played out exactly as my intuition suggested, and in the worst possible way for both teams. It’s hard to deny now that the season is a write-off and we can move into the standard phase of waiting for the next one, but as a United fan, I’m not even upset - this is the norm  6 points after 6 games! Meanwhile Tottenham is inching closer to its beloved 17th place.

No I didn't place a bet on this match, I was working late again, and for tricky games like this, I usually prefer live betting. I’ve been a Manchester United fan since childhood too, and every season I wait for them to become champions again. Of course I wanted United to win this match, but I was skeptical about Carrick from the start, now it seems obvious to me that he’s not much different from his predecessors. Yes, it’s another disastrous season, one where changes are needed if we hope for things to improve next year, but I still think nothing will happen without a top class manager.