Pep is not the only City manager to lose three games in a row - Mancini, Pearce, Hughes and Eriksson are among the others but it is unusual for a manager to get sent off at half time. Apparently he was not happy about the disallowed goal that Sane scored just before the interval. Both the referee - who had had previous disagreements with Pep - and the linesman failed to notice that it was Milner who played the ball to Sane. Perhaps they did not want to notice! Anyway the goal did not stand and City went into half time with only the early goal by Jesus under their belt. City had played really well in the first half and deserved to be at least two up. However Liverpool improved in the second half and with Pep in the stand there was nobody on the bench able to lift the sky blues back to their first half power play. Defensive errors gave the visitors the chance to equalize and then another error by Otamendi led to a winning goal.
City had started with just a back three and went all out to score and even the introduction of Aguero failed to do the trick. Never mind at least we save some money and don't have to go to Kiev!
As expected Liverpool had plenty of fans present
Before the game we saw Nicky Weaver and Ali Benarbia introduced to the crowd
City had three at the back, Kompany moving to the bench and Jesus was preferred to Aguero up front. Walker returned as did Laporte to the defence
Following a free kick for a foul on De Bruyne Sterling crossed to Jesus in the opening minute......
...and he cracked the ball past the keeper to give City the lead and the South Stand liked that!
The City players did not waste time celebrating and it was just the start Pep wanted
After 14 minutes Mane fouled Otamendi and Ederson got foolishly involved.........
...and he got booked as did Mane
Liverpool manage to clear another City attack
Karius saves from De Bruyne
Is the ref having a go at the ball boy !
Another City effort is blocked
Down goes Sterling but nothing given
A shot from Benardo Silva is deflected wide
Shortly after another effort by Benardo hits the post.....
.....and Liverpool escape
On 42 minutes a poor clearance from Karius goes back by Milner to Sane who scores.....
The linesman has not yet raised his flag........
but up it went when he realized City had scored!
Just before half time Oxlade-Chamberlain has a good chance ......
....but he shot wide and the ref blows shortly after for half time with no added time for the time wasted by Karius taking goal kicks
Well we discovered there was no Pep after half time as he had been sent off but I found him in the directors box
Just when it looked City would clear the ball it spilled from the arms of Ederson.......
...and Salah was able to rush up and score on 56 minutes and it was one all -disaster
The Liverpool players and fans celebrate
Firmino tries to get past Walker.......
.....but in the end Ederson manages to hold onto the ball
De Bruyne tries a shot from outside the box but it goes straight at Karius
Sterling is fouled by Van Dijk who is yellow carded
Off goes Silva and on comes Aguero - will he get his 200th??
Kevin De Bruyne has a shot from distance......
...but the ball is deflected just over the bar
On 77 minutes it's game over as Otamendi gives the ball away and Firmani shoots past Ederson to make it 2-1
The reds can celebrate but the City fans show their support despite the exit from the Champions League
City did get the ball in the net but that damn flag was up again!
Karius saves from Jesus and only two minutes added time was given - ridiculous
team
Ederson 6.5: Walker 6, Otamendi 6, Laporte 6.5: Fernandinho 6.5, Silva 6.5 (Aguero), De Bruyne 6.5, Benardo 6.5 (Gundogan), Sane 6, Sterling 6, Jesus 6
