Liverpool were individually and collectively poor as the Reds slumped to a seventh defeat in 10 games, with few coming out of the defeat to Man City with any credit.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
Premier League (11) | Etihad Stadium
November 9, 2025
Goals: Haaland 29′, Gonzalez 45+3′, Doku 63′
Giorgi Marmardashvili – 6 (out of 10)
In what may have been Mamardashvili’s last game before Alisson returns, the Georgian had an eventful day.
He conceded a penalty, which was harsh, but saved Erling Haaland’s spot-kick and then denied Jeremy Doku soon after.
Didn’t do much wrong.
Conor Bradley – 5
Bradley was magnificent in nullifying Vinicius Jr. in midweek, but he had a really tough afternoon up against Doku.
The right-back never stopped trying, in fairness, and wasn’t helped out by those around him, but he struggled overall.
Actually won more duels than any other Liverpool player (7) and more tackles (3).
Ibrahima Konate – 3
Konate’s improved form has played a part in Liverpool’s resurgence, but he was woeful at the Etihad.
He lost the ball in a terrible area for the penalty and City clearly let him have the ball, seeing him as a weak link. Teams target him offensively and allow him the ball when Liverpool are in possession.
He cannot be so inconsistent if he wants to be considered an elite defender.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
Van Dijk was another who wasn’t blameless, even though he did his best to hold the defence together at times.
The captain’s lazy waft of his leg for Nico Gonzalez’s goal saw the ball deflect past Mamardashvili, and he didn’t exactly impress. His disallowed goal was well taken, mind.
Andy Robertson – 5
Robertson was again chosen ahead of Milos Kerkez but like so many he was well short of his best.
He sloppily allowed the ball to roll out of play at one point, epitomising Liverpool’s performance, but he was better than some of his teammates.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Gravenberch was part of a midfield that was non-existent and quite simply outmanoeuvred.
He was sloppy in possession in the first half and didn’t give Liverpool any control, and looked leggy off the ball too.
Played a lovely through-ball to Mohamed Salah early in the second half but that was about it. He lost seven of his nine duels.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
After a promising improvement in the wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Mac Allister was disappointing alongside Gravenberch.
He was too slow in his decision-making on and off the ball, getting booked before half-time, and he was arguably lucky not to be replaced at the break.
He’s only 26, but has a huge amount of football in recent years taken its toll?
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Even Liverpool’s player of the season so far could do nothing to prevent a wretched team display.
He didn’t necessarily do much wrong, but he was part of a midfield that got outplayed by City’s and will be frustrated with his lack of impact.
Still the pick of the bunch, though, and forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a good save from distance – Liverpool’s only shot on target.
Mohamed Salah – 4
Salah has looked back at it in the past week, but he couldn’t influence matters at all, looking lost at times.
When he did have the ball he was steady over spectacular, and he no longer has the blistering pace to beat defenders in one-on-one situations and Nico O’Reilly easily got the better of him.
Created three chances, but failed to get a shot on target or make a successful dribble.
Florian Wirtz – 5
Wirtz kept his place at the expense of Cody Gakpo, but he will have wanted to impact the match far more than he did.
The German did well to win a couple of free-kicks in tight areas but there was no magic whatsoever in the attacking third.
Faded more as the game went on and was move to centre-forward.
Hugo Ekitike – 4
Ekitike is starting to look tired, having led the line consistently in the absence of Alexander Isak.
He was anonymous in the first half, but got no service at all.
Replaced before the hour mark, having touched the ball just 11 times.
Substitutes
Milos Kerkez (on for Robertson, 56′) – 5 – Brought a little extra pace, but largely unnoticeable.
Cody Gakpo (on for Ekitike, 56′) – 5 – Fired over from a tight angle, should have done better.
Curtis Jones (on for Mac Allister, 74′) – 6 – Kept the ball better than some of the midfield starters.
Joe Gomez (on for Bradley, 83′) – N/A – The game was done by the time he came on.
Federico Chiesa (on for Wirtz, 83′) – N/A – Same as Gomez.
Subs not used: Woodman, Endo, Ngumoha, Isak
Arne Slot – 4
Slot has steadied the ship impressively in the last two games, but this was a big step in the wrong direction.
It was the correct decision to keep Liverpool’s starting lineup unchanged but the performance they produced simply wasn’t good enough.
Liverpool were poor from the off – jaded and playing with no purpose – and it feels like the positives from the last two games have been thrown out the window.
That’s on Slot, with the pressure back on him heading into the internationals – with five Premier League defeats by November galling.
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