Premier League: A rude awakening for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool

The Reds were too flat in the midfield

On several occasions, Liverpool’s midfield three was just too high up the pitch. Fabinho was not his usual disciplined self, constantly being higher up the pitch than what was necessary, allowing Kevin De Bruyne acres of space between the defenders and the midfield.

Any rational person knows this is one player you don’t give space, he will punish you. De Bruyne looked like all of the Reds’ midfielders combined into one. He was phenomenal on and off the ball.

Wijnaldum looked like a passenger on the pitch waiting for something to go his way. This is not Crystal Palace, this is a team that won the League last season. When Keita came on the Reds looked more threatening going forward, taking on players, threading through balls and controlling the pace of the game.

The strange thing with Gini is that he plays a completely different style of football when featuring for the Netherlands national team. He shoots from outside the box, scores goals and creates opportunities, something he needs to apply with Liverpool.

Henderson, strangely enough, showed his usual guts and determination while playing some great passes in the attacking third. With a team like City, Klopp should have opted for two holding midfielders considering the number of goals they have been scoring against opponents.

With Henderson and Fabinho sitting in front of the back four and maybe starting Keita or Chamberlain ahead of them, it would have brought more stability to the midfield. The Reds were far too exposed, with De Bruyne and Foden dropping into pockets of space allowing for Jesus and Sterling to run at the defence.