Liverpool V Manchester City - One side a wounded force that are struggling to take their first steps back into the glory days of their past; the other a side filled with pampered stars and a chairman willing to grab any player the manager is whinging to try and buy.
Liverpool are now very much a fading shadow of their glory days from the 70's and 80's. A side that once put fear into any side when looking at the team sheet, now a wounded lion that any heir to the throne is willing to pounce on. Manchester City seem to be that team hoping to pounce at any opportunity with the wealth at Roberto Mancini's expenditure he is able to build up a dream team of his choice, its daunting for any other club even attempting to go for the same player. As much as everyone hates to admit, there is now definitely a second team from Manchester threatening to dominate the premier league.
Now to the game. Leading up to the game we have a Liverpool side which has a new self-found confidence thanks to the appointment of Roy Hodgson and the safety line of having Torres and Gerrard commit to Liverpool for the future; and we have a Manchester City continually growing in depth creating a one of the most competitive squads.
Unfortunately the confidence of Liverpool struck a blow tumbling to a 3-0 defeat by a rampant Manchester City side. The wounded force that is Liverpool showed how far off the pace they are with the premier league elite at this moment in time as the new boys of Manchester City, encouraged by the wealth that comes with playing for the team were able to pick off Liverpool players with ease. The first goal being a wonderful passing display with the Liverpool players standing and watching as Milner's run down to the touchline was cut back to his former Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry to set the big-spenders flying. The second somewhat a contrast of the slick movement of the first goal with a goal-line scramble, mainly to claim who got the final touch be it Richards or Tevez. The second half came and a little spring seemed to be in the Liverpool players steps as Gerrard had a shot hit the post which then cannoned back into Torres' path to then see Joe Hart make an astonishing save down at his feet ending Liverpool's only real threat in the entire game. Carlos Tevez all but wrapped up the 3 points near the end when Martin Skrtel brought down Adam Johnson in the box.
Manchester City seemed last year to be a team with all the potential and no reason to fail because of the vast money spent, but with more sensible buys this time around and still having the same real spine to the team enabled Mancini to build up a wonder team of his choice and having spent £130m this summer on players playing Liverpool was their chance of showing their statement of intent, and they much obliged.
Liverpool last year had a torrid season, injuries, lack of a good squad and all the problems lurking behind the scenes at Anfield all seemed to be have put behind them this summer with arguable the transfer coup of the summer in Joe Cole on a free and then being able to snatch up an established England manager was very much what Liverpool fans wanted to see. But the Manchester City game proved how long they still have to go to fight off these demons holding back a once strong force. Torres still fighting his way back to fitness; Joe Cole missing through suspension; still no real back-up to Torres; and the players getting used to a whole new style of football under Roy Hodgson all held back a Liverpool side that on their day will be able to be contesting once more, but these first few games will be building blocks once again for Liverpool in which they hope to sort out the backroom mess, get an established starting 11 ft and playing regularly and have them playing the magical football that saw them get trophies galore in the past.
But for now we have seen a statement of intent from Manchester City. Just like Chelsea did some 6 years ago, they too were able to build up a team of giants that now leave them challenging every season. But throw in a very consistent Manchester United side and a unpredictable young gunner's side into the mix then we have a fierce mix that doesn't have one true leader. Making this season even more exciting than the last.
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