Anfield has found a smile and a voice. Author of its worst start to the year in ten years, Liverpool brought down rival Manchester City for the first time this season in the league (1-0), Sunday, October 16, in the shock of the eleventh day of the Premier League. A precious success, acquired thanks to the goal of Mohamed Salah, which allows the Reds to go back to eighth place while the Cityzens let Arsenal escape at the top of the table.
In recent weeks, Jürgen Klopp’s men have shown two very distinct faces depending on the competition. On the right track in the Champions League (3 wins in a row including a card against Rangers, 7-1), they struggled in the league by compiling three consecutive games without a win.
Faced with Manchester City, undefeated since July 30 and a defeat against the Reds in the Community Shield (3-1), Liverpool chose their opponent to revive. His victory was embodied by Mohamed Salah, as during the great hours of the great English rivalry for its last four years.
The Egyptian offered a victory full of pride to his team by crucifying Ederson face-to-face (76th). A duel that he created for himself thanks to sublime control when receiving a long ball from his goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Mohamed Salah’s fourth goal of the season, far from his usual standards, allowed him to avoid receiving criticism for a few of his choices.
MOHAMED SALAH #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/OzGLqgbWAl
– CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 16, 2022
Upon returning from the locker room, the striker indeed forgot Diogo Jota, alone in front of goal, while the score was still nil and blank (50th). Or – as a symbol of Liverpool’s difficulties this season – when his left-footed curl did not find the opposite side netting (69th).
Above all, the Reds have regained a foolproof defensive solidity. Intense and rough at the start of the game, they kept a clean sheet for only the second time this season in the Premier League. A remarkable and possibly founding performance against the best attack in the championship, which had scored 18 goals in its last five games in all competitions.
The fine performance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker is no stranger to this. The Brazilian took over Erling Haaland (40th, 64th), silent for the second time in the Premier League. A rarity.
Relaunched, Liverpool now enjoys a favorable schedule to confirm its recovery: reception of West Ham and move to the last, Nottingham Forest. A victory against Manchester City in any case gives a significant amount of confidence to Jürgen Klopp’s troops.