Manchester City had a difficult week that ended with a 2-0 loss to Premier League leaders Liverpool at home on February 25, 2025. This defeat came after a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, which saw City knocked out of the competition. Despite the poor results, there were a few positives for Pep Guardiola’s team, particularly the performance of Abdukodir Khusanov in the heart of the defense. Khusanov, who joined City from Rennes in January, had a difficult debut against Chelsea but showed great improvement in this game against Liverpool.
He played alongside Nathan Ake in central defense with Ruben Dias starting on the bench. Khusanov made key defensive interventions and seemed to settle into the Premier League. He made six clearances, one block, one tackle, and one interception during the game, which were crucial in keeping Liverpool at bay. He also won two of his three duels and completed 99% of his passes, showing that he had a solid all-around performance.
In contrast, Nathan Ake struggled badly during the match. His poor performance made it clear that Guardiola must consider dropping him from the starting lineup for the next match against Tottenham Hotspur. Ake was directly involved in the first goal, as his deflection off Salah’s shot allowed the ball to go past Ederson and into the net. Ake’s defensive efforts were also subpar as Salah easily beat him down the left wing before Khusanov had to intervene.
Ake did not make any tackles, interceptions, or blocks in the game and lost every duel he was involved in, while Khusanov’s all-around contribution stood out. Guardiola should drop Ake for the next game and bring Ruben Dias back into the lineup to provide a more stable and dominant presence in defense alongside Khusanov.
The 2-0 defeat to Liverpool was a tough result for City, especially as they were already coming off a disappointing loss to Real Madrid. Despite having moments of promise, such as a few attacking runs from Jeremy Doku, the team struggled to break down Liverpool’s defense.
Mohamed Salah scored the first goal after a deflection off Ake, and Dominik Szoboszlai scored the second, assisted by Salah. City had some chances, but they were unable to capitalize on them. A key moment came when Omar Marmoush had a goal ruled out for offside, which was the only real moment of joy for City fans in a game that was otherwise dominated by Liverpool. While the loss was frustrating, it highlighted the weaknesses in City’s defense and attack, with Ake in particular failing to meet the necessary standards.
Looking ahead, Guardiola must make adjustments if City is to improve and compete in the upcoming matches. Ake’s performance against Liverpool was not acceptable, and his inability to help defensively made it clear that he should not be starting for the next match. Guardiola has options in Ruben Dias, who should come back into the team, and Khusanov, who impressed in his second Premier League appearance. It is crucial for City to tighten up defensively and find a way to generate more offensive creativity, as their current form is not good enough to challenge for the Premier League title.
The defeat to Liverpool was another setback in what has been a challenging season for Manchester City. The absence of Erling Haaland, who was injured and missed both the Liverpool and Real Madrid games, has been felt strongly.
Without Haaland, City lacks the cutting edge that has made them so dangerous in previous seasons. In addition, key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden have been underperforming, and the team has looked disjointed and lacking in confidence. While there were brief flashes of quality, such as Doku’s runs and Khusanov’s defensive contributions, City’s overall play was not at the level expected from a team of their stature.
Liverpool, on the other hand, has been in excellent form and looks to be on course to win the Premier League title. They have a well-balanced team with a potent attacking force led by Salah, and their defense has been solid. The way they controlled the game against City showed that they are a well-oiled machine and could be difficult to stop in the coming months. For City, the loss to Liverpool was a reminder that they are no longer the dominant force they once were, and they must work hard to get back to their best.
In the aftermath of the Liverpool game, Guardiola will need to carefully assess his squad and make decisions on who to start in the upcoming matches. The loss to Real Madrid and the loss to Liverpool have exposed some of City’s weaknesses, and Guardiola will need to find a way to address them if they are to salvage something from the season. The midfield, in particular, has been an area of concern, with players like De Bruyne not showing the same level of influence as in previous seasons. The team has also lacked a consistent goalscoring threat without Haaland, and the pressure will be on the likes of Julian Alvarez and others to step up in his absence.
As for Ake, his performance against Liverpool has put his place in the starting lineup in serious doubt. Guardiola needs players who can perform under pressure and contribute to the team’s success, and Ake’s poor display against Liverpool was not good enough. Khusanov, on the other hand, has shown that he has the potential to be a reliable option in defense, and Guardiola should consider giving him more opportunities to prove himself. Dias also needs to return to the lineup to bring more stability to the defense. Ake’s future at City may be uncertain if he cannot improve his performances and regain the form that once made him a regular starter.
The 2-0 defeat to Liverpool was a harsh reminder of how much City has fallen behind their competitors this season. Liverpool is playing with great confidence, and the gap between the two teams is now 11 points, which is a significant margin at this stage of the season. City’s hopes of defending their Premier League title seem slim, and they will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid further setbacks. Guardiola must find a way to get the best out of his players, especially those like De Bruyne, Foden, and Ake, who have underperformed in recent weeks.
City’s focus must now shift to the upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur, and Guardiola will need to make key decisions on his starting lineup. Ake should be dropped, and Dias and Khusanov should be the preferred partnership in central defense.
The team also needs to improve in attack and find a way to create more clear-cut chances. If they continue to play like they did against Liverpool, City’s season could quickly unravel, and they could find themselves out of contention for both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
In conclusion, the 2-0 loss to Liverpool was a difficult result for Manchester City, but it also highlighted several areas where the team needs to improve. Ake’s poor performance, the absence of Haaland, and the lack of creativity in midfield were all factors that contributed to the defeat.
Guardiola must make changes to his starting lineup and ensure that his players are performing at the level expected from a team of City’s stature. If they cannot address these issues quickly, their season could be in danger of spiraling out of control. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the direction of City’s season, and Guardiola will need to get the best out of his squad if they are to salvage something from this campaign.
