Champions League: Player ratings as City bow out of Europe

It was always going to be a tough ask for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as they hosted Liverpool in the Champions League. After the first leg at Anfield last week, Manchester City needed to find three goals without reply in order to take the tie to extra time.

With most of the damage done in that first leg, it was important that the City players went out and gave everything in this game. Winning the game, if not the tie, was what the gathering crowd needed to see from their side.

It all started so well for the blues too, pulling back a goal in less than two minutes. But that was as good as it got for Pep, with penalties not called, a goal disallowed and the boss himself sent to the stands.  But how did the players do?

Ederson – 6.

Lost his head after raising his hands at Mane after the Reds tackle on Otamendi. Certainly might have received a red card for the raising of his hands, which didn’t get a reaction from Sadio. Let in two goals once more, possibly could have done better with at least one.

Otamendi – 4.

What was the Argentinian thinking when he decided to hand Firmino the chance for the lead. He was also somewhat at fault for the first goal too, and really had a poor game at the back.

Walker – 6.

Still got forward, just not as much as we’d like. Playing on the right of a back three, the England International did okay without setting the world on fire.

Laporte – 6.

Not sure if the guy is just still trying to find his feet or we just overpaid. Maybe it’s a little bit of both as Sadio Mane kept the Frenchman in his pocket for most of the game.

Fernandinho – 6.

Looking really tired. Ending the pursuit of Fred in January is looking bad business now as the Brazilian could do with a rest. His pass accuracy was down his usual high standard and he needs to be rested sooner rather than later, but when?

Silva – 7.

I think there was just too many players in the midfield and David Silva was on the left, working with Sane. Didn’t have the impact he usually has on games, and it shows badly.

De Bruyne – 6.

I gave KDB a lower score because I really don’t remember too many defense splitting passes. That combined with the Belgian choosing to run or shoot from range rather than a pass, means he had a frustrating night.

Bernardo – 8.

I love this guy. Even though he got a yellow card for his reaction to a referee call. Curled a shot from the edge of the box which struck the post. Replays showed it got a slight deflection and was on target initially, although Karius might have had it covered.

Sane – 4.

Running into dead ends or straying offside. You can go to almost any part of the game when the German winger was involved in the play and, most likely, one of those scenarios would see the end of the attack.

Jesus – 5.

Scored the opening goal with a calmly taken shot, but did nothing else really all game. I think that was his only shot. Certainly the only one on target, and that’s just not good enough.

Sterling – 6.

Loved the spirit with his shoulder to shoulder with Virgil Van Dijk early on to win the ball which ended in that opening goal. After that though it seemed as if he, like the rest of the side, went off the boil a little.

Aguero – 4.

Came on with a little over twenty minutes remaining. Had one shot which was off target, which proves to me he really wasn’t fit enough to play.

Gundogan – 5.

By the time he came on, the game was done. Didn’t really add anything to the game but to be fair it was already done by that time.