Sunday was Man City’s. Liverpool missed three penalties in the shootout to surrender the Capital One Cup to Manchester City. Just 72 hours later, the men, who had left the ground disappointed and upset, emerged victorious in front of their home fans by giving the league champions a 3-0 thrashing.

Sunday was Man City’s. The Reds from Merseyside missed three penalties in the shootout to surrender the Capital One Cup to Manchester City. Just 72 hours later, the men, who had left the ground disappointed and upset, emerged victorious in front of their home fans by giving the Capital One Cup champions a 3-0 thrashing. As City reached Anfield celebrating the title triumph, an “angry” Liverpool side welcomed them and shredded Pellegrini’s men into pieces in what was a repeat of the pressing game they displayed four months back at the Etihad Stadium.

Formations

The home side made five changes to the XI that started in the final on Sunday. With Sturridge, Coutinho, Lucas, Sakho and Moreno moving out of the starting line-up either through injuries or fatigue, Jurgen Klopp brought in Origi, Lallana, Toure, Lovren and Flanagan in what was a 4-2-3-1 formation. Flanagan’s arrival in the right back slot meant Clyne will move into the left back role in place of Moreno, who had a dreadful game in the final.

On the other hand, Manuel Pellegrini brought a strong Man City team to Anfield with only Yaya Toure, Sagna and Caballero missing from the XI. Navas, Zabaleta and Hart replaced the trio in the XI, and Fernandinho moved back into the centre of the midfield to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation intact.

Press, Press, Press – The Liverpool Mantra

Similar to their performance in the reverse fixture back in November, when they beat City 1-4 at the Ethiad stadium, Liverpool played a pressing game, which the manager loves. The style started with the first kick of the ball, and Flanagan’s tackle on Sterling set a tone for the things to come. Liverpool's front six pressurized the Man City players to give the ball away, and it paved way to all the three Liverpool goals.

The classic example of Liverpool’s pressing play was in the ninth minute. Navas received the ball on the right wing, but with Lallana and Clyne in front of him, the winger cut inside for an outlet but found Can, Milner and Firmino and Origi in proximity. Navas rushed the pass to Kompany, and the defender lost it to Firmino, to mount an attack on the City defence with seven Liverpool players in the half. Although the move did not produce a goal, the intent from Liverpool was very clear from the start.

1. Free up space, run and shoot – Lallana’s goal

Adam Lallana missed the final penalty for Liverpool in the shootout on Sunday and the man, who missed the spot from 12 yards at Wembley, smashed in one yesterday from 20 yards to open the scoring for the Reds in the 34th minute. The wind played a part in it, but the amount of space City gave to Lallana will be the most alarming thing for Pellegrini.

Kompany and Otamendi moved back and back inviting the shot, and Lallana obliged their wish by smashing one through the legs of Otamendi to beat Hart.

2. City’s defence in shambles – Milner’s goal

If the first goal was by allowing Lallana space near the goal, the second goal also came in similar fashion. Emre Can took on Otamendi and Clichy with a brilliant back heel giving Firmino lot of space to run into. The Brazilian slid it to Milner, and the former Man City player took the ball with his right and poked it past Hart for the second goal before the break.

3. The ‘Gegenpressing’ – Firmino’s goal

A mistake from Otamendi in his own half and Liverpool’s pressing paved the way for the third goal, which was skilfully slotted in by Firmino. When Otamendi lost the ball in the half after a poor touch, Liverpool rushed into the half with five players moving in. Although Clichy stopped Origi with a tackle, Lallana raced in and displaced the left back before passing the ball to Firmino for a skillful finish.

The Reds from Merseyside displayed a clinical performance and fully deserved the three points on the night, even as Manchester City saw their title hopes going up in smokes after the thrashing.

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