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Manchester City: Player Ratings for the FA Community Shield

By Dan Larsen

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates with the FA Community Shield following his team's victory in the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates with the FA Community Shield following his team's victory in the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Right Wing: Bernardo Silva, 8/10

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates following his team’s victory in the penalty shoot out during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates following his team’s victory in the penalty shoot out during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Bernardo Silva was a crucial part of why Manchester City were so dangerous in the attacking third during the first half of the game.

Bernardo got the better of Andy Robertson on several occasions in first half, beating him on the dribble and getting into space to create chances. His link-up play, in particular, with Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne was excellent. He was the sharpest of any of City’s players on the day.

In the second half, he struggled to make as much of an impact, but was still dangerous in the few instances where City were able to threaten Liverpool’s defense. He looked the most match-fit of any of City’s players on the pitch today.

Bernardo is an incredible talent. The leaps he’s made, even in the past 12 months. have been incredible to watch. Every indication around him suggests that we could be looking at Bernardo Silva going up another level in the 2019-20 campaign.

Left Wing; Leroy Sane, N/A (Injured)

Leroy Sane got a chance to start and prove his worth to the team in their competitive season opener. Unfortunately, Sane was forced off early in the proceedings due to an apparent knee injury.

In the few minutes he did play, Sane posed a danger, nearly sneaking a goal past Alisson on an early chance for the team.

Hopefully, Sane dodged a serious injury. It was a gut punch to watch him go down on a day where he was given such a great opportunity.

Center Forward/Left Wing: Raheem Sterling, 7.5/10

Raheem Sterling, like Bernardo on the right, was incredibly dangerous throughout the game. He was intimately involved in many of City’s best chances in the first and second half. He terrorized Trent Alexander-Arnold down the left side all game, beating him in almost every one-on-one situation they found themselves in.

His goal was a trademark one for him. placing himself in the perfect spot to finish off a really good pass. He did well to hit his shot with just enough power to get it past Alisson.

What kept Sterling from reaching MOTM level today was his lack of sharpness in the final third on several other occasions. Sterling was incredibly dangerous, but missed the final pass or shot more than a few times today. As he gets back into the flow of things, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Sterling was a crucial part of what worked for the team today. As he gets sharper and more fit, he should have no problem being a key piece to the team.

(SUB) Center Forward: Gabriel Jesus, 5/10.

Gabriel Jesus had a rough afternoon after coming for the injured Leroy Sane early on in the game.

Though Manchester City created several chances, Jesus failed to make any kind of impression on the game during regulation. He did take the clinching penalty well during the shootout, but that didn’t make up for the pedestrian performance he had otherwise.

Jesus will have better days than Sunday. He just needs to get himself to a point where, even if the team is struggling when he’s on, he can still find a way to impact the game. That’s what differentiates a good player from a world-class one.