Following on from the win at Chelsea and Sunday’s performance against Man City the evidence continues to grow that Kenny is succeeding in building the foundations for a return to those days. By withdrawing Craig Bellamy from the squad in light of the tragic news of Gary Speed’s death he also signaled that decency and perspective would remain a vital part of the club’s make up.
Man City arrived at Anfield, of course, as a club and team themselves transformed. Victory would have taken them seven points clear at the top, the kind of daylight that starts to look ominous (unless you are Dick Francis). Free scoring and boasting a defence as mean as the home side they present a formidable challenge and eleven of their previous twelve opponents had been beaten.
The tone of Liverpool’s approach was set inside the opening four minutes as Lucas stopped Silva’s run on the left and clattered Milner on the right touchline. The Brazilian was instrumental in breaking up Man City’s rhythm throughout the game and his man of the match performance should be the final word in the debate about his value to the team. He has mastered the little toe tap tackle to relieve tricky players of the ball and in several clashes with Toure and Barry showed he relishes the physical battle with opponents in a higher weight class. His industry and bite is now arguably the equal of Javier Masherano and his forward passing is more ambitious and accurate.
Lucas’s endeavor was much needed in the opening thirty minutes as City enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. The potency of their attacking options was evident as Aguero and Silva’s running and quick feet caused problems for the home defence but it was the physical presence of Kompany that broke the deadlock on the thirty- first minute. The big defender launched himself at Silva’s whipped in corner and his determination brought him a slice of luck as the ball cannoned off his shoulder and into the top corner. Liverpool were stunned but responded immediately. Charlie Adam fired a hopeful strike from thirty yards which didn’t look as if it was going to trouble Joe Hart until Joleon Lescott, quite deftly, got in the way of it and deflected the ball passed the City keeper. It was no more than Liverpool deserved and five minutes later Adam running onto Kuyt’s pull back could have given the home side the lead had it not been for Hart’s outstretched leg. The first half ended with Silva and Aguero once again combining before Reina saved from the Argentine.
If the opening half was an absorbing forty-five minutes of football the second half was a more pulsating spectacle. Liverpool forced their way on top and Kuyt headed wide after Kompany had deflected the ball to him. City continued to look dangerous on the break but Downing brought a fine save from Hart before a piece of Suarez trickery almost forced Lescott to score a second own goal. The introduction of Balotelli on the sixty first minute had added a further potential threat to City’s attack but his sending off on the eighty third minute, for two bookable offences, forced the visitors further on the back foot. Dalglish brought on Andy Carroll to try to find a winner but it was Lucas and Suarez who combined to free the Uruguayan inside the box, his rasping shot pushed away by Hart. City still had time to mount an attack of their own and Reina did well to stall Silva just inside the box, forcing a tame shot that was easily tidied away by Skrtel. As the game entered stoppage time Enrique and Johnson linked to set up Carroll and his header brought a fine save from Hart who recovered to block Suarez’s follow up. As the final whistle blew the City players surrounded their keeper, aware that only his agility had preserved their unbeaten start to the season.
Following on from the disappointing draws against Norwich and Swansea Liverpool had put themselves under pressure to get points against Chelsea and City. The fact that the four achieved could easily have been six should fill the players with confidence. They matched City in every department and the desire not to be out fought by a physically larger side was striking. That desire obviously needs to be applied more consistently in the so-called lesser fixtures but as these players develop greater understanding and trust, and new recruits are added, the refashioning of the club and the squad in the manager’s likeness will continue apace. As it was a privilege to watch him play it remains a privilege to watch Kenny steward the club towards better times.