Liverpool’s unbeaten start under Andoni Iraola is over, and what a painful way to end it.
After all the anticipation surrounding Manchester City’s visit to Anfield, Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s old rivals in a game that remained competitive for more than an hour before completely falling apart.
For a long time, Liverpool looked capable of getting something from the match. The atmosphere was intense, the supporters made their feelings about City’s financial case abundantly clear, and the Reds had spells where they threatened to take control.
But football is decided on the pitch, and City showed exactly why they remain such a dangerous opponent.
Ryan Gravenberch’s second yellow card in the 62nd minute changed everything. Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki then scored in a devastating second-half spell to leave Liverpool with their first defeat of the season.
Liverpool compete before the game turns
Iraola had to make changes before kick-off, with Dominik Szoboszlai joining Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak on the sidelines. Lewis Koumas was handed his first Premier League start, leading the line in a Liverpool attack that also featured Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz.
The first half was tense rather than spectacular. Liverpool worked hard to disrupt City’s rhythm, while the visitors struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
Muñoz threatened after linking up with Wirtz, and Gianluigi Donnarumma had to remain alert as Liverpool tried to find a way through.
At the other end, Alisson Becker was called into action to deal with dangerous City attacks. Neither side managed to find the breakthrough before half-time, but Liverpool had given themselves a platform.
There was plenty to encourage Iraola, even if the final ball and finishing were still missing.
Koumas gives Liverpool a spark
One of the positives was Koumas getting a proper opportunity.
The young Welsh forward had barely featured in the league before this match, but he was now being trusted to lead Liverpool’s attack against one of the strongest sides in the country.
He tested Donnarumma shortly after the restart, forcing the City goalkeeper into action. Gravenberch also made a dangerous run and had an effort saved, while Alexis Mac Allister fired narrowly wide.
For a spell, Liverpool looked capable of making the breakthrough.
That is what makes the eventual result so frustrating. This was not a game in which Liverpool were completely outplayed from the opening whistle. They were competitive, they created moments of danger, and they had opportunities to make City uncomfortable.
But they needed to take one of those chances.
They didn’t.
The red card changes everything
The turning point arrived in the 62nd minute.
Gravenberch, who had been one of Liverpool’s more influential players, was shown a second yellow card after bringing down Doku as City threatened to break forward.
It was a huge moment, and Liverpool supporters will understandably debate whether the challenge warranted a second booking.
But the reality was that Liverpool were suddenly down to ten men against a team that knows exactly how to exploit extra space.
Iraola was left with a difficult task. His side had been competing with City, but now they had to do so with a numerical disadvantage and still protect their goal.
The visitors wasted little time taking advantage.
Haaland, Doku and Cherki punish Liverpool
Three minutes after Gravenberch’s dismissal, City took the lead.
Doku drove into the penalty area and saw his attempt deflect into Haaland’s path. The Norwegian made no mistake, smashing the ball beyond Alisson to put the visitors ahead.
Liverpool had barely had time to recover when City struck again.
Doku produced a superb finish in the 68th minute, cutting inside before curling an effort into the far top corner. It was a brilliant goal, and one that left Liverpool with a mountain to climb.
Then came the best of the afternoon.
Rayan Cherki finished a wonderful move in the 78th minute, combining with Josko Gvardiol before using his footwork to evade Jeremie Frimpong and slot the ball past Alisson.
It was an outstanding individual moment, but it also summed up City’s quality in the final third.
Liverpool were stretched, tiring and struggling to contain the visitors with ten men. City punished them ruthlessly.
What does this mean for Iraola?
This is the first real setback of Iraola’s Liverpool reign, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.
The red card undoubtedly changed the game, but Liverpool also need to look at what happened before it. They had promising spells without finding a goal, and once City gained control, the Reds had no answer.
The injuries didn’t help. Liverpool were already without three important attacking players, and Koumas was being asked to lead the line in a match of enormous intensity.
I’m not going to judge Iraola solely on this result. He needs time to develop his team, and one defeat doesn’t erase the progress Liverpool have made defensively.
But the manager will know there are lessons here. Liverpool must become more clinical when opportunities arrive, and they need to find ways of keeping their attacking threat alive when matches become difficult.
A painful afternoon, but not the end of the story
There is no disguising how disappointing this result is.
Losing 3-0 at Anfield to Manchester City hurts, especially after Liverpool had competed well for much of the contest. The red card was decisive, but the final score will still raise questions about Liverpool’s ability to cope with the very best sides.
City leave Anfield with six wins from six league matches. Liverpool, meanwhile, have their first defeat under Iraola and plenty to think about before their next fixture.
I still believe Iraola deserves patience. This is a developing team, and the injuries have made his job harder. But Liverpool cannot afford to let this defeat become the beginning of a poor run.
The response matters now.
Liverpool have suffered a brutal reality check. The important thing is what they do next.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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