On March 1, 2015, Liverpool hosted Manchester City at Anfield in a crucial Premier League fixture. Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory over the defending champions with two stunning long-range goals from Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho, continuing their pursuit of a top-four finish.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Liverpool: 2 (Jordan Henderson 11′, Philippe Coutinho 75′)
- Manchester City: 1 (Edin Džeko 25′)
- Possession:
- Manchester City had 55% possession, while Liverpool had 45%. Despite City’s possession advantage, Liverpool’s intensity and pressing limited City’s ability to control the game, especially in key areas of the pitch.
- Shots:
- Liverpool registered 11 shots, with 5 on target. Manchester City managed 10 shots, with 5 on target. Both teams were evenly matched in terms of creating chances, but Liverpool’s superior finishing made the difference.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Manchester City had a passing accuracy of 86%, completing 457 passes out of 532 attempts. Liverpool had a passing accuracy of 82%, completing 351 passes out of 427 attempts. City’s attempts to build from the back were frequently disrupted by Liverpool’s high pressing.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Liverpool made 18 tackles compared to Manchester City’s 14. The pressing from Liverpool’s midfield, led by Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen, was key in limiting City’s ability to play through the middle. Martin Škrtel and Dejan Lovren marshaled Liverpool’s defense well against City’s attacking threats.
- Set Pieces:
- Liverpool’s first goal came from open play in the 11th minute when Jordan Henderson received a pass from Raheem Sterling just outside the box and unleashed a brilliant long-range strike into the top corner, giving Liverpool an early lead. City equalized in the 25th minute when Edin Džeko slotted home a low finish after a slick buildup involving Sergio Agüero. Liverpool regained the lead in the 75th minute with another spectacular long-range strike from Philippe Coutinho, who curled the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area.
- Individual Performances:
- Philippe Coutinho was Liverpool’s standout performer, scoring the winning goal and constantly driving Liverpool’s attacks with his dribbling and creativity. Jordan Henderson also played a pivotal role, not only with his stunning opener but also through his leadership and work rate in midfield. For Manchester City, Edin Džeko was clinical with his goal, and Sergio Agüero’s movement troubled Liverpool’s defense, but they were unable to find a second breakthrough.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool, under Brendan Rodgers, set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Emre Can, Martin Škrtel, and Dejan Lovren forming a back three. Liverpool’s midfield pressed high, forcing City into errors and counter-attacking with pace. Manchester City, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, used a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control possession and build attacks through the creative outlets of David Silva and Yaya Touré, but they struggled to cope with Liverpool’s intensity.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, both for Liverpool. Dejan Lovren was booked in the 67th minute, and Adam Lallana received a yellow card in the 78th minute for a late tackle. Manchester City avoided any bookings in a physical but fair contest.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Liverpool won 4 corners compared to Manchester City’s 6, reflecting City’s attempts to push forward in the second half. Both teams were caught offside twice as they tried to break through the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City was a statement win, as they outplayed the reigning champions with two sensational long-range strikes from Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool’s high-intensity pressing and ability to transition quickly from defense to attack disrupted City’s rhythm and gave the home side the upper hand.
Despite Edin Džeko’s equalizer, Manchester City struggled to impose themselves on the game, and Coutinho’s second-half winner capped off a brilliant all-round performance by Liverpool. Raheem Sterling’s pace and dribbling, combined with Henderson’s leadership and Coutinho’s creativity, were key factors in Liverpool’s success.
The result was a blow to City’s title hopes and a significant boost for Liverpool in their push for a top-four finish, as Brendan Rodgers’ side continued to gain momentum in the second half of the season.
