Was Anfield demolition proof Man City can handle the noise?
Whether Manchester City's Anfield demolition proves they can handle the off-field noise, plus assessments of several players
The video asks whether Manchester City's big win at Anfield shows they can cope with the off-field charges. The guests say City have handled it well so far but the case cannot drag on, then discuss Elliot Anderson's value, Wirtz and Barcola's adaptation at Liverpool, the depth gap between City and Liverpool, and the chance for rival clubs if City are docked points.
- The Manchester City manager has so far proved a capable successor to Guardiola — City coped with the club's off-field noise and the Anfield atmosphere, and he prepared the side well; you can only judge him on what he has done so far.
- The charges hanging over Manchester City cannot keep dragging on and need a solution — The issue continues to hang over the club, and players and the manager need clarity.
- Elliot Anderson is a bargain and already a top midfielder — He produces numbers every week, is strong in the tackle, good on the ball, box-to-box, makes good decisions and is hard to dispossess; like Declan Rice at Arsenal, he looks increasingly good value.
- Wirtz has still not adapted to the physicality of the Premier League and may be better off back in Germany or in La Liga — After more than 60 games for Liverpool he still cannot hold the ball or turn, often releasing it first time; he is struggling against physically strong No.10s in England.
- Manchester City have better squad depth than Liverpool, while Liverpool lack depth and their signings do not fit the system — Any team struggles when losing several key players, but City have higher-quality cover; Liverpool need to be at their best to beat other big teams, and even with everyone fit their roles and system are unclear, with several signings looking like deals for deals' sake.
- Cherki is probably the best two-footed player the Premier League has seen in a long time and is a wonderful player — He works in tight areas, has good vision, can play first time, knows when to hold the ball, and draws defenders to create space for teammates.
- Wirtz is a passenger and is far less competitive than Barcola — Barcola at least makes challenges and tracks back, while Wirtz gets knocked to the floor when pressed and looks like a youth-team player.
- Doku is already a top-three left winger in the world and could become the best if his end product improves — He can go both ways, has explosive pace and power, and once past a defender he is gone; his crossing and final ball are improving.
- Liverpool's problem is primarily confidence and mentality, not just injuries — They have not won a Premier League game at Anfield since April and have failed to beat the top side in their last eight; they need a win, and senior players like Alisson and Van Dijk must step up.
- Other big clubs should be ready to exploit any Manchester City points deduction by signing their players — If City are docked points and cannot compete for the title or Champions League, many players will be unhappy; United need a midfielder like Anderson and Arsenal should look at Doku.
► Subscribe to Sky Sports News: http://bit.ly/SkySportsNewsSub ► Watch Sky Sports with NOW: https://bit.ly/NOWSkySportsYT Tim Sherwood and Jay Bothroyd joins Sky Sports FC to discuss Man City's emphatic 3-0 win over Liverpool. The pair discuss whether City have proven they can deal with the noise around them. SkySportsNews SkySports football ► For the latest developments on this story: https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/topstories ► For the latest transfer news: https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/TransferCentre More from Sky Sports on YouTube: ► Sky Sports: http://bit.ly/SkySportsSub ► Sky Sports Boxing: http://bit.ly/SSBoxingSub ► Sky Sports Cricket: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyCricket ► Sky Sports Darts: https://bit.ly/SubSkySportsDarts ► Sky Sports Football: http://bit.ly/SSFootballSub ► Sky Sports F1: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyF1 ► Sky Sports Golf: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsGolf ► Sky Sports Premier League: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsPL ► Sky Sports Retro: http://bit.ly/SkySportsRetroSub ► Sky Sports WSL: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsWSL ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skysportsnews ► X: https://x.com/SkySportsNews ► Website: https://www.skysports.com ► To enquire about licensing Sky Sports content, you can find out more here: https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/31754/11434270/license-sky-sports-footage
Transcript
Well, on Moreskin, let's go back to him. Although you're saying he's got a long way to go to be as good as Guardiola, is he proven to be the perfect replacement? >> Well, at the moment, six and six. Yeah, you have to say yes. You can only judge him and what he's what he's done at the moment. Feel sorry for him going into the club with a lot of mess, a lot of noise surrounding it. His team absolutely coped with it. He prepared the side well enough to be able to cope with it. you're not going to get a bigger atmosphere in the way at Anfield, you know, with a team who they rivaled over the them years we were talking about where the allegations were suggested. Um, well, proven um, up to now. Um, so yeah, he's done a good job. You'd have to say that. Um, I do feel sorry for him. I still feel sorry for Elliot Anderson, U, Enzo, um, Mark Gay who joined the club very recently. It's not their fault. They would have asked, surely their representatives would have asked the hierarchy there at Man City, is there is there a problem with this? Because if there is going to be a problem, the we know the consequences going to be very severe and they would have told them absolutely not. No problem whatsoever. So, they've signed on a dotted line. They performed fantastically. Um, but it still hangs over. I agree with the boys there 100%. This can't keep dragging on. We need a solution. Tim, you're the manager there. You're Moresca. >> Yeah. >> And obviously his representatives are going to do the same thing, right? They're going to ask those questions. >> If you're the manager and you've asked them questions and you've been told everything's all right, how would you feel as a manager? Would you walk? >> No, I believe them. I would if if they've told me looked me in the eye and they've told me everything's going to be okay, Tim, you know, it's all about we're going to there might be charges and if there is, we're going to have an appeal. We're going to get um cleared of of all allegations. then I have to believe him as a man looking at another man looking him in the eye and them telling me if I've asked them correct questions and they've told me them answers if they haven't told me that the truth then they've let me down and yes >> and then what >> well then then you need to go good luck going try and find another club as as good as as good a players as Man City by the way if you're Enzo Moresca you know it's very very difficult but he's gone he's gone there in good faith he's believed the guys who he's talking to his representatives have done the job for him. Yes, he's earning a fortune now. His salary will be secure no matter what happens, >> but same with a lot of other players who you know in previous years, but I'm just talking about a group of players there who who are making a difference at the moment. You mentioned him, Elliot Anson. Absolutely magnificent this boy. He looks cheap. >> But Cariger called him a6 million pound bargain. >> He's a bargain. He's absolutely right. We said the same with Declan, didn't we? went to when he went to Arsenal. We're thinking, "Oh, a lot of money for Declan Rice." All of a sudden starts performing around better players. You think, "Hold on a minute. This looks cheap." And Elliot Anderson exactly the same. Look at them. >> I mean, this is every single every week this Jay. I mean, it's not just against one of the best teams and one of your biggest rivals. Every single week he turns out these numbers. >> But he's Do you know what the thing is? When I when I look at him, do you know he's got a bit in him? He he looks like a bit of like he's got a bit of Roy Keane in him. Like as in he's really strong. He's aggressive in tackles. He's really good with the ball at his feet. He's boxto-box. He makes a lot of good decisions on the football pitch. He's difficult to get the ball off as well. Like he he's a top top midfielder. I really I enjoy watching him play. That's the thing. I really enjoy his whole allound game. Rodri left everyone saying, "Well, he's not a replacement for that." He's showing you he's not a replacement for that. Rodri can't do a lot of things. He can do what he can do very well better than Elliot Anderson, which is control the tempo of the game. But Elliot Anderson does a lot more things than than Rodri used to do and he does them better as well. What I like about him, Jay, and I going back to midfield players and I hate him when they pigeon all these midfield players. He's a six, he's an eight, he's a 10. He can do everything. Roy Keane could do everything. Steven Gerard could do everything. Frank Lampard could do everything. >> That makes a complete midfield player. >> Could everything. I do nothing. If you hadn't brought his name up, Jay, I would have done on the other looking at Anderson being 116 million pound bargain. Jay, on the other side for Liverpool, you got Vietz and Barola. >> What have you made of them so far and in yesterday's game? >> Well, listen, uh, for me, he's played 60 odd games now for Liverpool. No one can tell. Yeah, 60 odd games. You can't tell me that he's not If he's not doing it after 60 odd games and he's not used to it, there's something um there's something wrong. Listen, there's no doubt about it. There is a absolute player in him. Um he's got great ability. We've seen him do that in the German league. We've seen him do it for the national team. There's no question there. >> But I just feel like in the Premier League is very different. You have to be strong. And in that position where he wants to play >> as a number 10, you've got players like Elliot Anderson around you. You've got players like Kaisedo around you. All these players that are physically strong that compete. >> Yeah. >> Right. And he can't get to grips with that at the moment. Now even >> the ball goes to him and he just gives it off first time all the time. like he's not even getting on the turn. And I I mentioned David Silva when he first came to the Premier League. When he first came to the Premier League, the first, you know, couple of months you was like, I don't know if he can handle it. All of a sudden, he started using the, you know, that bit now like using his brain. Where can I get into areas? Where can I affect the game? With Vert, I don't see it. And to me, like he looks like he's either going to go back to Germany or go La Liga or someone like that where it's less physical. But then Bakola again, Barcola, five games, I can't really I can't really comment on too much, but I do expect more than I see yesterday. Like there was times where he's one-on-one with his fullback and he's passing the ball back. Yeah. >> And I'm saying go at him, get get crosses in the box. >> That's confidence. >> That's that's playing with no confidence when you're doing that. When you're playing safe now, the manager should be telling him, I don't want you to do that. We haven't bought you because you can do that. We paid a lot of money for you because we can see you do one v1s. You can create chances. You can score goals. On the vert side, there's been a lot of players who've come to this country, been sensational in other countries and never ever done it in the Premier League. You're absolutely right. The most competitive league in the world very difficult. But a footnote to that, I see one of the best players we've ever seen in Premier League in this Luca Modric and he struggled and he struggled badly. We couldn't find a position for him at Tottenham and Harry was a manager there and all of a sudden sticks him in the central midfield. Got him on the ball. I'm not saying for one minute F can do that. I'm not sure he can cuz Luka Modric is a Ballindor winner. He's a superstar. >> He's still stocky. Modric. >> Yeah, >> he had big He still had big strong he was strong on the ball. >> You wouldn't mind fighting him, but it's and and and V for me is can he be that man? Can he? We have to give him time, but like you say, 60 games is enough time to see. Liverpool fans can't be holding their breath that long. >> Exactly. >> A bit of hope here from from Raymond who uh who whose messages in. Keep these coming in by the way in your voice notes as well. He says, "Let's not get too carried away with Man City's performance. Liverpool had Bradley, Sabosi, Echit, Gakpo, and Isach out. That's the same as having Gayhei, Anderson, Semeno, Daku, and Harland out. So Jay, >> is Manchester City's depth, would they be able to cope with that better than Liverpool though?" >> I think they would be able. >> Or is it a good point? >> No, it is a good point. And I do think Man City will be able to cope better because they have better depth than Liverpool. Um, and any team that loses those kind of players, then, you know, they're gonna struggle, especially like this season, for example, Issach and Spali. Um, but I think that when I look at Liverpool team, I think they have to be at their absolute best to beat the other big teams in their B game like Man City, like Arsenal. And and that's why I'm looking at it saying they don't have the depth and at the moment they've got a lot of players where you're putting round pegs in square holes like when everyone's fit right where's Ekatique playing and Isak and Barca you know where are they playing? How are they what system are they fitting into? And this is the thing that I look at. I think they've done a they've spent a lot of money and they've made signings just to make the signings. I don't think they've made the signings to benefit the way they're going to play when everyone's fit. M >> let's have a look at your player ratings from yesterday then Tim we've got yours up there first and if you look at both sides the ones that stand out are always the very low ones and the very high ones and straight away with Liverpool you got two fours there we've talked about Viet uh and Barcola but for Manchester City Anderson and Churkey stood out for you with your uh with your eights now Anderson you've talked about but how good was Churkey >> I think Churkey is a is two-footed, probably the best two-footed player we've seen in the Premier League for a very long time. >> He he gets he works in tight areas. He's got wing mirrors. Always got a picture. He can play first time. He knows when to hold on to the ball. He he brings he brings a melee towards him so he creates space for others around. I think he's a wonderful player. I really do. I just think he you need he looks like a real good character as well. Looks like a funny guy. It looks like we're in a furry and it's not. He's like he's got a real character about him. Even when he celebrates that goal yesterday, I look at him and I go, "Yeah, I'm having you, son. I mean, there's some there's something about you. I'm having that Canon celebration. >> He's backing himself. He backs himself and and he's he's walking the walk at the moment. That for certainly." >> It was interesting there that on on the subs bench, you had Dou with an eight that we've talked about. Jay, if we go to your player ratings, you've actually got Doku coming on with a nine in there as well. You've got a nine for Anderson H as well, but I mean Viet down to a three for you. >> Yeah, because Barola four. >> You know why? Do you know why Barca is a four and he's a a three? Because at least Barca's getting stuck in and he's like making challenge and he's tracking back and he's doing all those things where >> Vert is is a passenger. Even when he gets coaster players, he just gets thrown to the floor like like he's a youth team player. And and that's the thing. That's why I've given him a three and Bola a four. They was on the ball. They were they were both probably the same, both as poor as each other. But when I look at Dou >> is a fullback's night. He's anyone's nightmare. If he's one-on-one with you, >> Yeah. >> you can't you need another player there. You need another player there because he can go both ways. >> He is one of the fastest players from standing still that I've ever seen. >> Yeah. >> Because And he's powerful as well. Like as soon as he gets past you, he's gone and that's it. Before we would talk about Dou and say he's end product, it's not good enough. And it's still not top, but it's definitely improving because now when he's coming in and he's How many goals we've seen him do that already where he's just whipping it in the top corner? He's getting to the line now. He's pulling things back. There was there was even um O'Reilly had a few chances from Dou's passes in that game as well. He's he's he's definitely in the top three left wingers in the world, but he could be, you know, the best. A final one on on Liverpool, Tim. Is there a mentality issue? The reason I asked that question is they haven't won at Anfield in the Premier League since April. They failed to beat the team who started the day top of the league in their last eight matches. So, they can't beat the team who was at the top. Is that in your mind or is it on the pitch? >> Well, it certainly does start to get in your mind, but it's obviously a confidence thing. We talked about Bcola there, but a lot of them versus playing with no confidence as well. They need the lead. Liverpool fans are very very good. I think they they acknowledge circumstances within the football club and they give some leeway to their players, but in the end it's going to be a tough environment for them. They need a win as soon as they can. If they get their win, they get the confidence and you might see some different um individuals out there from what we're seeing at the moment. You certainly need to. The guy who messaged in there about the injuries, yes, the injuries is absolutely spot on with what he's saying, but everyone gets injuries and it's up to your big players to stand up. Um, and I don't think, and I know I don't want to dig him out, but I just think I'm I'm going to I'm going to mention him. And it's it's players like Allison, who I don't think's been fantastic. It's players like Virgil Van Djk, I don't think it's been fantastic. You need them guys to pull you through these bad times. So, when you do get your whole squad fit, then it's uh and you get a few wins, you get the confidence going, then it becomes easier. Tim, can I just ask you quickly? Going back to Man City, do you know the players that you talked about there with Anderson, the players that have just arrived like in the last couple of seasons? >> Yeah. >> If you're a player, what are you saying to your agent at this point? Are you making like contingency plans? >> I am saying to him, are you 100% sure the questions you asked them and I was sitting in there. I'm sure I would have been sitting in that >> in that meeting. are have are they barefaced lied to us or is there a wrigle here and I need to know that because if I will concentrate when I'm on that pitch to give 100% for the team for them fans you see them turn up yesterday you must be enjoying playing for Man City it's not a chore to play for Man City because you've got world-class players around you a huge environment at the top of the league flying at the moment with a new manager who's doing very well so I'll concentrate on my football but in the back. They need to be looking out for a contingency plan >> for me because what is that contingency plan going to be? And there's a damn it's probably not going to be a team anywhere near the likes of Man City both financially and both with the quality. >> That's what I was saying. You know, like we we we spoke off air about this. If I'm Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, all the Man United, all of these teams, I'm looking at this situation properly because I'm saying to myself, you know what, there's going to be a lot of unhappy players there if they get dock points and they're not able to compete for the league every season and play in the Champions League, >> those teams have to take full advantage of that if it comes about. So the likes of Elliot Anderson that Man United are crying out for a midfielder for, you know, the likes of Dou who Arsenal should be looking at saying, you know what, >> if if we can get Dou, you know, like some I think they need to be looking at that situation. >> You think they're all in the shop window now? >> If Yeah. If they get Doc points, of course they have to be. >> Expensive shop, is it? It's one of them shops you don't want to look >> but you