The top two teams from England produced a pulsating 2–2 draw tonight with Liverpool winning the game 3-1 on a penalty shootout. Tonight’s game typified the season where only 2 points separate the teams, with both offering flair and excitement going forward. The game at Yankee Stadium was played out in front of 49,653 supporters and felt like a home fixture for Liverpool with red jerseys in abundance.
The team that Brendan Rogers started with will have given a clue on how Liverpool might lineup this season. LFC employed a two-man attack of Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert with Philippe Coutinho in the number 10 position and the trio of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, and Joe Allen in midfield.
The first half started at a slow pace with City having the best of the half. Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic were looking lively upfront for Man City with Dzeko twice having good chance to put City ahead. Coutinho was the standout player for Liverpool in the half with a willingness to take on opponents and create chances for his teammates.
The second half saw a new formation from Liverpool lining up in a 4-3-3, with Raheem Sterling coming on for Lambert to play off Sturridge with Coutinho.
The second half came alive in a frantic six minutes with two goals, the first from the impressive Jovetic on 53 minutes. Gerrard missed a near post clearance and the ball found Jovetic, who applied the finish. Henderson responded for Liverpool after a fine pass from Sterling found Sturridge and his layoff was coolly side-footed home from 15 yards.
Man City were starting to dominate the game now and should have been 2-1 up after a Jesus Navas cross found Bruno Zuculini wide open from 5 yard,s but he could only manage to scoop the ball over with the goal gaping. The second did arrive on 67 minutes thanks to more poor defending from Liverpool, Jovetic turned Sebastian Coates in the box and toe-pocked a shot pass Simon Mingolet from close range.
Liverpool came back into the game and found the equalizer on 85 minutes after a knockdown from Lucas found Sterling who Jinxed pass the last defender and curled a sublime finish past Joe Hart. A lot of questions have been asked about how Liverpool will replace Luis Suarez this season, but on current form Sterling is looking like he is turning into a world-class player and his continued rise could fill the void.
With the game finishing 2-2, it was decided on penalties with Liverpool triumphant. If the season started today you will have to feel that Man City are in the better position, their passing was a little crisper the defending of a much higher caliber. Navas impressed out wide, looking like the player that started last season with trickery, speed, and a willingness to get to the byline unlike the player that finished the season devoid of confidence.
Liverpool leave today’s game knowing there are still big question marks over their defense. With the likes of Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, and Daniel Agger to return it looks more than likely the starting pair of Kolo Toure and Coates will struggle to get a game on this showing. Liverpool will also be hoping the 20 million they spent on Dejan Lovren from Southampton brings solidity and leadership to the defense that looked like giving up a goal at any of the Man City attacks.
