Five things we loved in Liverpool's CL blitz against City
It was an occasion to remember at Anfield on Wednesday as Liverpool maintained their Champions League challenge with a convincing 3-0 victory against Manchester City.
The Reds stacked up a strong advantage in the first leg of the Premier League rivals’ quarter-final tie ahead of the return meeting at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
There was much to enjoy about the game and the night – here are five of our favourite things…
A Trent Alexander-Arnold masterclass…
It was apparent from the early stages of the match that City were going to target Liverpool’s right hand side as an area of the pitch for potential attacking profit.
But their plan was foiled by a magnificent performance from Alexander-Arnold, who, with a little help from his colleagues in doubling up when necessary, left the tricky and speedy Leroy Sane no room to manoeuvre.
Seven interceptions, 10 clearances and 77 touches – more than any of his teammates – were the headline numbers of a display that proved, if it were needed, the Scouser is built for the big stage.
“It’s the stuff dreams are made of,” he said. “I was grateful for the opportunity and the manager’s trust to put me out there in such an important game for the whole club.”
Watch: Every Trent touch against City
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s sensational goal…
You won’t have seen many cleaner strikes than Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dose of technical perfection 20 minutes into this tie.
The England international, who rolled home a low finish to open the scoring in January’s 4-3 victory over the same opponents, served up an even better effort this time when he turned on a pass from James Milner and saw space to let fly.
Ederson did not have time to blink before the 20-yarder whistled past him and inside his right post.
“I’ve been working on that and trying to do that more often, so I’ve showed myself that maybe it’s on more often and I can keep doing it,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
See Oxlade-Chamberlain's screamer from every angle
Milner the main man in midfield…
The Champions League assist king continued his chief provider role with the pass for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s unstoppable blast at the Kop end – his eighth in the tournament, according to official UEFA stats.
But it was the 32-year-old’s energy and work ethic that caught the eye against one of his former clubs on his 38th appearance of 2017-18.
Milner led the Liverpool midfield in tackles (five), clearances (four), touches (66), interceptions (three), passes (42) and crosses (three).
Video: 12 Milner tackles in 48 seconds
Shutting out City…
Jürgen Klopp couldn’t quite explain it, but the visitors failed to record a shot on target in the clash at Anfield – the first time that has occurred to City since October 2016.
“That’s pretty rare, they are a fantastic football side,” said the Reds boss. “They didn’t play badly, they only didn’t create because we were in the right spaces in the right moments.”
Not least Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk – the only two senior centre-backs available for Liverpool – who blocked, tackled and cleared everything that came their way.
It was the Reds’ sixth clean sheet in the competition proper this term.
Allez, Allez, Allez…
The soundtrack of Liverpool’s season formed a one-song playlist before, during and after the much-anticipated encounter: ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’.
After waiting nine years for the experience of a Champions League quarter-final again, and all the tension and thrills that come with it, Reds fans relished every second of an evening that ranks highly in the club’s modern history.
The sight of scarves swirling on every side of the ground, against the backdrop of incessant chanting – ‘we’re never going to stop…’ – provided a perfect setting for the pace and penetration of the football on the pitch.