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Champions League: First leg lessons

By Jason Bardwell

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: David Silva of Manchester City is challenged by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on April 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: David Silva of Manchester City is challenged by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on April 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City attempts to get past Daryl Janmaat of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester City at Vicarage Road on September 16, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City attempts to get past Daryl Janmaat of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester City at Vicarage Road on September 16, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

No Plan C:

So you have to bear in mind that plan A involves Walker and Mendy providing that width down both flanks. With Mendy out, Guardiola had to resort to a plan B. That plan has served us well throughout the season, with us on course to pick up the Premier League title sooner or later.

Last nights game was more of a plan C, and it really was a square peg for a round hole. Ilkay Gundogan provided no width on the right, and I was surprised not to see Bernardo Silva start. I certainly could understand, especially give the hostilities, why Sterling didn’t start but was bamboozled as to why Ilkay got the nod.

What we were left with was a Manchester City side which was unbalanced, and didn’t stretch the Liverpool defence. We could hardly expect Kyle Walker to defend the Liverpool attack and provide width down the right.

It was an issue all night, and one which Pep failed to address. Bringing on Raheem with 30 minutes to go was too little too late in my opinion. Even then, the romantic side of me thought for sure the English winger would get our vital away goal.

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