Liverpool will have mixed emotions heading hom from Anfield today. On paper a draw against Manchester City is not the worst result for the Reds. However, based on the balance of play, and how well Liverpool performed, this could have easily turned into three points and a significant advantage for the Reds.
Liverpool had the better of the chances in the game and dominated Manchester City in the second-half. Jurgen Klopp’s men hardly gave City a sniff in terms of chances. And created plenty at the other end to win the game in the end.
Unfortunately, though, it was not meant to be. Liverpool just couldn’t quite put their chances away in the end.
BBC pundit on Virgil van Dijk
Speaking after the game, one BBC pundit was full of awe of Virgil van Dijk and his performance. In the end, the Liverpool centre-back put in an outstanding performance and limited Manchester City’s chances.
It meant City were unable to create much from open play. Van Dijk pretty much kept all their attackers at bay. Including Erling Haaland, who barely got a sniff at goal. Van Dijk simply dominated the Norwegian forward for much of the 90 minutes.
Pat Nevin speaking on BBC 5 Live, was very impressed by Van Dijk’s performance. The BBC pundit went as far as to suggest that this was one of his greatest games in a red shirt.
“Virgil van Dijk is outstanding. He is absolutely having one of his great games. He has covered brilliantly, he has tackled when he has had to, he has read the play brilliantly. He hasn’t given Haaland a sniff,” Nevin said.
Nevin is right. Van Dijk was sensational, and as games go you would struggle to find a more dominant performance from the Liverpool captain.
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