All the talk before the game was of how dangerous Liverpool's front three were. Even with Kompany in for Stones or Otamendi they would have created chances. We actually kept them to a couple of free kicks around the edge of the box (we will concede a few goals from such free kicks this season, but not on Saturday), a couple of through balls which Ederson dealt with (one resulting in THAT challenge from Mane) and a couple of chances for Saleh coming in from the right, one of which was a poor effort, one of which was a good save from Ederson - but that Saleh chance at 1-0 was actually the only time that they really carved us open and got through clear on goal in 37 minutes of play when it was 11 v 11. By the same stage of the game, we had created 3 or 4 really good openings - the goal, for instance, Gabriel's run (at the end of which he was could, not that much has been made of that) and Stones' shot following a corner.
Frankly, Liverpool are going to create those sorts of chances against every team in the league in every game they play, home or away. We had some dodgy moments but generally I thought we defended well - and as we all know, the key in pep's eyes to defending well starts with not letting the opposition have the ball in the first place.
Of course, Klopp threw in the towel at 2-0, so we weren't tested in the second half. But whilst we didn't exactly pass the test they did set us in the first half with flying colours, it was one of the toughest examinations we will have at the Etihad this season, and we came through it unscathed. Credit, maybe, where credit is due.
