99% passing: ‘Outstanding’ Man City star was a shining light in dismal Liverpool defeat
Manchester City faced Liverpool in a Premier League clash on February 23, 2025, a match that left many fans disappointed and disheartened. City, once the dominant force in English football, now seemed far from their former selves. The absence of star striker Erling Haaland due to injury was felt throughout the match. Key players such as Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan started on the bench, leaving City with a weakened lineup. Liverpool, on the other hand, looked confident and poised, inching closer to the Premier League title after a 2-0 victory.
Mohamed Salah was the standout performer for Liverpool, scoring the first goal and assisting the second for Dominik Szoboszlai. Salah’s performance was reminiscent of Kylian Mbappé’s recent display against City in the Champions League. While Salah’s contribution wasn’t as flashy as Mbappé’s, it still showed why he has been such a dominant force this season. City’s defense, especially Josko Gvardiol, struggled to contain him, and Kevin De Bruyne, usually a key figure in these big games, appeared out of his depth. De Bruyne’s struggles were clear from the start, and he was unable to provide the spark that City so desperately needed.
From the moment the teams were announced, it was clear that City was not at their best. Haaland’s absence was a major blow to their attack, and the decision to start players like De Bruyne, who had been underperforming in recent weeks, added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the team. Despite this, the fans still showed up with hope, and players like Jeremy Doku, with his pace and trickery, provided some moments of excitement. However, the team’s tendency to give away possession easily, especially De Bruyne, prevented them from creating any meaningful chances.
The first goal for Liverpool came from a quick-thinking play that caught City off guard. Alexis Mac Allister played a clever pass from a corner to Szoboszlai, who then flicked the ball to Salah. Salah’s shot deflected off Nathan Ake and past goalkeeper Ederson. The second goal was just as frustrating for City. Gvardiol made two mistakes in quick succession. He allowed Salah to reach a through ball and then failed to stop Salah from assisting Szoboszlai, who finished calmly to double Liverpool’s lead. There were brief moments of hope for City, such as when Omar Marmoush had a goal ruled out for offside, but Liverpool’s dominance was undeniable.
City did have a bit of luck when Curtis Jones had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half, but this moment was met with the loudest cheer from the home fans. They had been silenced for much of the game by their team’s inability to get anything going. The final whistle sounded, and the 2-0 scoreline reflected just how much City had struggled.
Ederson, City’s goalkeeper, had a difficult game. He was beaten by the first two shots he faced, one of which took a deflection, and looked uncertain on both occasions. He did manage to make a good save from Liverpool’s Diaz in the second half, but his overall performance left much to be desired. In defense, Rico Lewis had a poor game.
He was too slow to react when Salah scored the first goal, and while he showed some promise with his passing, his defensive shortcomings were clear. Abdukodir Khusanov was one of the few bright spots, making some important interceptions and providing a solid link between defense and attack. Nathan Ake’s deflection of Salah’s shot wasn’t ideal, and he looked shaky when Liverpool countered. Gvardiol’s performance was the most disappointing, as his mistakes directly contributed to both of Liverpool’s goals. His inability to cut out passes or stop Salah was a major issue.
In midfield, Nico Gonzalez struggled to cope with the pressure. He failed to track Szoboszlai for the second goal, and his attempt to anchor the midfield on his own was a tough task in such an important match. Phil Foden, usually one of City’s key creative players, couldn’t make an impact. He had three shots on goal, none of which tested Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson.
His attempts to control the game from deeper areas were ineffective, and he looked out of sorts. De Bruyne’s performance was perhaps the most disappointing. Once considered one of the best midfielders in the world, De Bruyne looked a shadow of his former self. His passing was poor, and he gave the ball away in dangerous areas. The crowd’s applause when he was substituted seemed more like sympathy than genuine recognition for his efforts, signaling that his time at this level might be coming to an end.
In attack, Savinho showed flashes of skill but lacked the end product to make a difference. He had a few promising runs down the left side, but his final balls were often lacking. Omar Marmoush, who had a tough time in the Champions League against PSG earlier in the week, again found himself isolated in attack.
He struggled to get into the game and when he did get a shooting chance, his timing was off. Jeremy Doku was one of the few players who kept City fans hopeful. His pace and skill on the ball gave Liverpool’s defense problems, but he couldn’t produce a decisive moment in front of goal. Doku was one of the few players who seemed to have the desire to make something happen, but his individual efforts were not enough to spark a comeback.
City made some substitutions in the second half, but they did little to change the course of the game. James McAtee came on and added more energy than De Bruyne, but he was not able to lead a revival. Ilkay Gundogan, another key player for City in recent years, wasn’t able to make a difference either. His attempted break was halted by a poor pass to Doku.
Ruben Dias had a brief appearance but didn’t make any significant impact. Mateo Kovacic came on to relieve Gonzalez, but the team’s problems ran deeper than just a lack of fresh legs. Pep Guardiola, usually known for his tactical brilliance, seemed at a loss for answers. His team had conceded two cheap goals and lacked ideas on how to get back into the game. It was clear that City’s midfield was lightweight, and Guardiola must have been frustrated with how easily they were overwhelmed by Liverpool’s intensity.
The result was another disappointing chapter in what has been a tough season for Manchester City. The loss to Liverpool highlighted many of the issues that have plagued the team this season, from the absence of Haaland to the struggles of key players like De Bruyne and Foden. City have often been criticized for their inability to perform in big games without Haaland, and this match was another example of how much they rely on their star striker. Without Haaland, City seemed directionless, and Liverpool was able to capitalize on their weaknesses. Guardiola’s future at City will likely come under scrutiny, as his team continues to struggle to find consistency.
Looking ahead, City will need to address these issues if they are to remain competitive in the Premier League and in Europe. The loss to Liverpool was a reminder that even the best teams must constantly evolve to stay ahead. Guardiola will need to find new solutions to the problems facing his team, and it remains to be seen whether he can do so with the current squad or if changes will be necessary.
For now, City’s supporters can only hope that the team can bounce back and find their form before it’s too late. The next match against Tottenham on February 26, 2025, will be another opportunity for City to prove themselves, but if they continue to play like they did against Liverpool, their hopes of competing for major trophies this season may be over.
In the end, the 2-0 loss to Liverpool was more than just a defeat. It was a wake-up call for Manchester City. The team’s performance in this match showed that they are far from the unstoppable force they once were. Liverpool, on the other hand, showed that they are ready to reclaim their place at the top of English football.
If City is to challenge for the Premier League title and other major honors, they will need to make significant improvements. Whether Guardiola can turn things around with this current squad or if he will need to make changes remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Manchester City’s dominance is no longer guaranteed, and the club faces a challenging road ahead.
