logo

Liverpool Player Ratings After 3-0 Defeat to Manchester City: Gravenberch’s Red Card Sparks Collapse

Liverpool suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City, a game that swung dramatically following Ryan Gravenberch’s second yellow card in the 62nd minute. The hosts had managed to keep the league champions at bay for most of the first half, but the dismissal led to City scoring three goals within 13 minutes through Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki.

The match turned into a defensive disaster for Liverpool, with their vulnerability in transition fully exposed.

Goalkeeper and Defense

  • Alisson Becker (5/10): Barely tested during the first half but ended up conceding three goals from just four shots on target. His defense left him exposed after the red card, though the finishes were clinical.
  • Ronald Araujo (4.5/10): Picked up an unnecessary early yellow card which limited his defensive aggression. Performed decently before being replaced by Frimpong in the 75th minute.
  • Jules Jacquet (5/10): Started in central defense, held his own physically during the first half but struggled once Liverpool was down to ten men, with large gaps opening up before he was subbed off in the 88th minute.
  • Virgil van Dijk (5.5/10): Led the defense well early on and tried to disrupt City's play from midfield. The task became overwhelming after the red card; he also received a booking in stoppage time out of frustration.
  • Milos Kerkez (6.5/10): Delivered solid defensive work, notably a crucial intervention denying Antoine Semenyo a clear chance. Showed visible frustration at Wirtz’s poor decisions and lack of passing support during attacking moves.

Midfield

  • Ryan Gravenberch (5/10): Liverpool’s standout player for over an hour, driving the team forward with energy reminiscent of Patrick Vieira, according to Jamie Carragher. Unfortunately, his second yellow card was the moment everything unraveled.
  • Alexis Mac Allister (6/10): Fought hard both physically and technically against City’s midfield but suffered as the team was reduced to ten men. Unlucky to be involved in the buildup to the opening goal due to a deflection.
  • Florian Wirtz (3.5/10): Disappointing performance marked by frequent loss of possession and poor set-piece delivery. His mistakes frustrated teammates, leading to a substitution immediately after City’s opener.
  • Víctor Muñoz (4/10): Showed some attacking promise but became a defensive weakness in the second half, being beaten easily by Doku for City's second goal.

Attack

  • Bradley Barcola (5/10): Worked hard tracking back but lacked sharpness going forward. Created a good chance early in the second half but faded before being subbed off late in the game.
  • Lewis Koumas (6/10): Made his Premier League starting debut with relentless pressing that unsettled City defenders. Had a powerful shot saved before being replaced in the 75th minute.

Substitutes and Manager

  • Trey Nyoni (4.5/10): Came on for Wirtz in a tough situation and struggled under City’s dominance.
  • Jeremie Frimpong (3/10): Introduced late but looked lost defensively, humiliated by Cherki who used skillful footwork to score City’s third goal.
  • Rio Ngumoha (5/10): Subbed on for Koumas but failed to influence the outcome in a game already decided.
  • Joe Gomez & Federico Chiesa (N/A): Entered in the closing minutes when the result was beyond doubt.
  • Andoni Iraola (5/10): Executed a solid tactical plan for the first hour, effectively containing City. His side’s mental collapse after the red card cost them dearly, conceding within minutes.

Related Articles