Manchester City won’t go undefeated, Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes aren’t dead yet, and Jurgen Klopp cannot do whatever he wants on a touch line.
These are among the things we learned as Liverpool finished a pulsating game against their rivals without its manager but with renewed hope of achieving its season goals.
[ RECAP: What we learned as Liverpool edges City ]
Mohamed Salah scored against Man City (again), Klopp was sent off, and we had a stellar defensive performance from Liverpool to break down following a 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool was gritty, edgy, a little dirty, and plenty strong in picking up a huge three points.
Here’s what we saw. Agree or disagree?
[ MORE: Arsenal holds off Leeds 1-0 ]
Liverpool player ratings vs Man City
Alisson Becker: 9 -- Fantastic in distribution and made his fair share of saves, too, keeping Erling Haaland off the score sheet.
James Milner: 7 -- Asked to do a lot and he delivered what he could.
Joe Gomez: 8 -- An immense day dealing with Erling Haaland.
Virgil van Dijk: 8.5 -- A throwback to his imperious days, and a huge clearance on what would’ve been a Cancelo to Haaland goal late.
Andy Robertson: 8 -- What a difference his inclusion makes to this Liverpool team.
Thiago Alcantara: 6 -- Lucky to stay in the game as the ref “let them play.”
Fabinho (Off 72'): 7 -- Just fine from the big midfielder.
Harvey Elliott (Off 72'): 7 -- Buzzed around the pitch like a man on a mission. Didn’t lead to much tangible for him, but forced Man City to act quickly.
Diogo Jota: 6 -- Equal parts pesky and bright, missed a chance to score off a terrific Salah cross.
Roberto Firmino (Off 72'): 6.5 -- Created a couple of chances and pitched in well when Liverpool had to get the ball back.
Mohamed Salah: 7.5 -- Wasn’t super comfortable up top but he put one of his two breakaways home as a difference-maker in the clutch against City (again).
Subs
Darwin Nunez (On 72'): 6.5 -- Always available but should’ve put the game away multiple times.
Fabio Carvalho (On 72'): 6 -- Busy in putting the game away.
Jordan Henderson (On 72'): 6.5 -- See above.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (On 90'+2): N/A
Kostas Tsimikas (On 90'+8): N/A
Man City player ratings vs Liverpool
Ederson: 7.5 -- Stopped Salah on one breakaway but couldn’t do the same on the second.
Nathan Ake: 7 -- This game was drawn up to test the left side of Liverpool and Ake completed well over 100 passes as a trusted focal point.
Ruben Dias: 7 -- A truly strong performance with nine recoveries, three clearances, and plenty of influential moves in the Liverpool half.
Manuel Akanji: 6.5 -- A couple noticable errors after a brilliant start to the season.
Joao Cancelo: 5 -- Dreadful error to spring Salah’s goal, service was good (to very good) as usual.
Rodri: 8 -- Came back to lug the mail from his half forward on so many occasions, accumulating 111 touches, and he rarely misses his mark.
Ilkay Gundogan (Off 89'): 7 -- Four shots and three big chances created for the captain.
Kevin De Bruyne: 7 -- Quieter than usual but still delivered some sensational diagonal artistry on the break.
Phil Foden: 7.5 -- A wizard, had a goal taken away from him for a Haaland foul on Fabinho.
Bernardo Silva: 6 -- Two shots and good effort but not his very best day by any means.
Erling Haaland: 6.5 -- Had three chances saved but his far is oh-so-high.
Subs
Julian Alvarez (On 89'): N/A
