Liverpool EMBARRASS Man City's Rodri replacement in emphatic win

Liverpool often know what they're talking about when it comes to identifying quality players, and before Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush moved to Man City this January, they were top of the Reds' shortlists.

Marmoush was known for his relationship with his fellow countryman Mohamed Salah, and it was rumoured that Liverpool could see the pair in the same team next season.

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Likewise, the club had failed over the past few years to secure a defensive midfielder and when it was announced by Anfield Watch that Gonzalez had a ¢60m release clause, everyone's ears pricked up, thinking a long-term Fabinho replacement might finally have been found.

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Nonetheless, both joined Pep Guardiola's citizens and had shown spells of quality before they came up against Liverpool, but it was clear from minute one in the Reds' trip to the Etihad on Sunday that Liverpool had unknowingly avoided a huge banana skin.

Gonzalez delivers nothing in face if Liverpool masterclass

Manchester City had been calling out for a natural defensive midfielder all season, after Ballon D'Or winner Rodri fell to an ACL injury in September 2024.

As such, the Blues went on a mind-bogglingly poor run of form in his absence, winning just one of their 13 games between the end of October and the end of December.

But when the January transfer window opened, they splashed the cash by spending £180m on four major players - including Nico González, who has been brandished the team's 'mini Rodri'.

However, when Liverpool visited Manchester on Sunday, he was nowhere to be seen, despite featuring in the starting XI.

Across the 90 minutes, he was involved in zero ground duels, making no interceptions and no tackles, as Arne Slot's tactical plan ensured he was almost completely bypassed in the middle of the pitch.

City had the majority of the possession in the game, taking the most shots, making the most passers and taking the most corners, yet they were absolutely outclassed in a dominant showing from the Reds.

As such, while Liverpool may have once looked at Gonzalez as a player who could excel in Slot's system, he decided to move elsewhere and when faced with the task of performing against his former suitors, he failed to deliver.

The 2-0 win for the Reds was their first Premier League victory at the Etihad stadium since 2015, and across all competitions, it was their sixth win at the venue since 2000.

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Liverpool now sit 11 points clear of Arsenal in the title race, although the Gunners have a game in-hand.

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