Man City vs Liverpool player ratings: Two flops get 4/10 as Phil Foden has nightmare | Football | Sport

A difficult week for Manchester City was compounded at the Etihad as they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool. Just four days after crashing out of the Champions League against Real Madrid, it was another chastening day for Pep Guardiola and his side.

City, without the injured Erling Haaland, enjoyed the early possession but went behind to Mo Salah’s deflected strike 14 minutes in.

And after Omar Marmoush had a goal ruled out for offside, Dominik Szoboszlai swept home a second eight minutes before the break and the hosts couldn’t break down the Reds in the second half.

City remain fourth, but are now level on points with Newcastle below them. And today’s showing has further highlighted their brutal fall from grace.

Express Sport brings you the Man City player ratings…

Man City player ratings vs Liverpool

Ederson – 5

The opening goal deflected off Nathan Ake and left him helpless, but the Brazilian was all too easily wrong-footed for the second. Failed to show off his range of passing and a summer exit still seems on the cards.

Rico Lewis – 4

Cheaply gave the ball away outside his own area before Liverpool forced the corner that led to Salah’s goal. Looked all over the place when the away side attacked.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

Beginning to show why he commanded a £33.8million fee. Looked assured on the ball and one brilliant cover tackle denied Salah.

Nathan Ake – 5

Diverted Salah’s opener past his own keeper and failed to command his back four. Uncomfortable in possession when the Liverpool forwards pressed.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

As always, a threat going forward and regularly linked with his forwards in attack. And as always, caught out positionally too often and allowed Salah way too much space – notably when the Egyptian teed up Szoboszlai.

Nico Gonzalez – 6

Sat in front of the back four but didn’t stamp any real authority in midfield. Some nice touches and link-up play, but not in the area where it hurt the Reds.

Savinho – 6

No shortage of effort and showed fast footwork at times but was too often crowded out in attack. He remains a real prospect but for now, looks raw.

Kevin de Bruyne – 5

One sublime long ball to release Savinho, but it was an isolated moment of quality. Struggled with the intensity of the contest and continues to look a fading force. Hooked off after 66 minutes.

Omar Marmoush – 7

One of the few bright spots in an otherwise toothless attacking display. Finished superbly in the first half despite the goal being ruled out for offside, went close after the break, and his set-piece deliveries were on point.

Jeremy Doku – 7

No end product or no options? Dribbled past Trent Alexander-Arnold eight times alone in the first half and looked to run at the Liverpool defence all afternoon. However, he then constantly failed to find the right option and his shooting was weak.

Phil Foden – 4

Deployed as the ‘false nine’ and false he was. Ineffective display summed up by one weak free kick straight at Ederson. Nowhere near the levels of last season.

Subs:

James McAtee (for De Bruyne, 66) – 6

The youngster struggled for impact after coming on.

Ruben Dias (for Ake, 77) – 6

Rarely tested in the last 13 minutes with Liverpool content to sit deep.

Mateo Kovacic (for Gonzalez, 78) – 7

At least tried to get on the ball and play some passes in the final third.

Ilkay Gundogan (for Marmoush, 77) – 6

Some neat touches in his cameo but nothing hurt to the opposition.