Liverpool 0-4 Man City: 3 things we learned – Klopp is an Anfield merchant

Liverpool were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City.

Strikes from Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne and an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal sealed victory for Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne may have only scored the penalty but his performance was world-class, and reminded Liverpool of what they miss from midfield when theirs doesn’t operate as the unit we know it can.

If City are suspended from the Champions League, this is the one signing the Reds should seek to make.

It was Liverpool’s worst performance for three years as they completely took their foot off the pedal following the Premier League win last week.

Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson played football like headless chickens as they ghosted around the defence and let Manchester City do what they want.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah had sparks of activity, especially at the start of the game, but they faded into nothing as the midfield lacked grit and spark.

Jurgen Klopp oversaw a side that failed to score away from home again – that makes it no strikes on the road since the 15th February and the 1-0 win over Norwich.

Where does Klopp go from there? After the game he spoke to Sky Sports and claimed he was happy with the effort the side put in, although exactly what that effort was he never explained.

It’s clear the side took their foot off the pedal for this match, but will have to be back to some version of their best if this season isn’t going to falter and wobble into a damp ending.