Liverpool 2 Man City 1: Brennan's player ratings

Stuart Brennan gives his verdict on the players' performances in a tough afternoon at Anfield.

HART
Had absolutely no chance with either of Liverpool's goals and, despite City's shakiness at the back, he had very little to do otherwise 6
ZABALETA
Couple of solid, dispossessing tackles, and some good work in the final third, but needed to get closer to Coutinho on second goal 6
KOMPANY
Shocking start as he muffed Fernandinho's poor pass to give Liverpool the first goal, and he did jot settle again until the second half 5
MANGALA
He had his ropey moments in that nervous first half, but in the second he emerged as City's most solid defender 6
KOLAROV
Had one of his best defensive games for some time, letting little past, but that meant he was anonymous in attack 6
NASRI
Knocked off the ball too easily as he tried to find spaces in the packed Liverpool defence wasn't quite up for the battle 5
FERNANDINHO
Under-hit his pass to Kompany to start the rot and hand Liverpool the first goal, but he was a fairly steady hand on the midfield tiller after that 5
TOURE
Dictated City's play from first minute until last, and did his best to drive them forward, but he was let down by those around him 7
SILVA
Liverpool denied him the space to work his magic, but he played a part in the goal and will be disappointed not to score an equaliser 6
AGUERO
Nothing came off for the striker apart from his pass for Dzeko for the City goal – hit the post and headed a great chance over the bar 6
DZEKO
Took his goal very well after making a perfect run to find Aguero's pass, but too often he was static when City needed runners, and gave it away too easily 6
Substitutes
MILNER: (Dzeko 57) Scruffy display 5
BONY: (Fernandinho 78) Tried too hard 5
LAMPARD: (Nasri 82) Forced to defend 6
Not used: Caballero, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernando

Liverpool

2

Man City

1

Premier League, March 1, 2015