Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 1 City

With Liverpool coming off a tough loss on Thursday in Europa League, but full of confidence in the Premier League, they got just what the doctor ordered with an early goal with a wonder strike from Jordan Henderson. The goal was resulted from another Kompany mistake, which was a mishit clearance that was latched onto by Countinho. City almost immediately responded, but the post was the only thing standing between Sergio Aguero and an equalizer. City continued to try and regain control of the games momentum through long spells of possession, but the pace of the Liverpool attack kept the City defense honest. In the 26th minute City got their equalizer, which you could argue was coming with the way the team started the game. A beautiful connection between Aguero and Dzeko, the Argentinean cut a pass to Dzeko right in front of net and the Bosnian blasted a right footed shot passed the onrushing Mignolet. The half ended just the way it started with some great end-to-end action, and two great Liverpool chances almost saw the home side go ahead before half time.

The second half started just like the first half ended. An early chance from Aguero to head home the go ahead goal went just over the bar. Following that early chance, Liverpool took control of the possession and the momentum of the game with their quick pass and move style. City were not doing themselves any favors with misplaced passes in midfield and the defensive half, which many a times found the feet of a Liverpool player. Liverpool’s second half dominance came to a head through a marvelous strike from Countinho, the villain of last years match. His curling effort left Joe Hart with no chance to keep the shot from hitting the back of the net. In the end, Liverpool displayed a hunger that you didn’t see from City until we went down a goal, which has been a trend this season. This is a tough loss, missing an opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea and another game that could have easily gone the other way. It was a very disappointing display in the second half as Liverpool just dominated for the most part and deserved their win. Following the Newcastle thrashing, you'd think that it would be more of the same since that game but it has been the inconsistent City we've seen this year. With the campaign as rocky as this one has been, Pellegrini is putting himself into the hot seat.

The season for Kompany continues to go poorly as mistake after mistake, ones you would never think you would see from the powerful defender. Danny brought up a great observation on Twitter during half time that Kompany’s mistakes in prior season were all about his aggressive style of play. This season has been much different with his mistakes being a comedy of errors at times. His second half, as well as the rest of the defense, was much better and if it wasn’t for a great goal from Countinho the better performance from the defense would have been the talking point.