Pellegrini: Liverpool defeat a disaster

The Reds were in rampant form at the Etihad, racing into a 3-0 lead after little more than half-an-hour and sealing a 4-1 win late on through Martin Skrtel’s stunning strike.

Speaking to reporters at his post-match press conference shortly after, Pellegrini, whose side replied through fit-again striker Sergio Aguero, described the performance as “a complete disaster”.

Carragher pointed out that the first goal, scored by City defender Eliaquim Mangala, was a sign of what Klopp is looking to do with his famous Gegenpressing tactics.

Pellegrini accepts it is something of a risk to throw him in from the start as City host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – but insists his side need their talismanic forward.

Since Aguero, last season’s Golden Boot victor, has been absent, City have qualified for the Champions League knockout phase with two games to spare.

“We didn’t do it as effectively in the first half, and they changed their formation a bit, but I still thought we put in a pretty good second half”. “I think that we not only demonstrate now that without Sergio (or) any important players, we can play”.

Manchester City will be eager to get back to the top of the Premier League after their arch rivals Manchester United leapfrogged them earlier today.

“It will be hard because he has gone so many days without playing”, said Pellegrini. The game was not ideal, but it was very good. I often spend the worldwide breaks with the national team on top of my club commitments so it has been good to have a more restful fortnight. “I am not interested in who is the best team in the league for as long as we are not the best team in the league”, he said. The Reds continued to dominate the opening exchanges, and before The Citizens could settle, Philippe Coutinho had added another to make it 2-0 after 22 minutes of play. “That is so important and I hope we can do it”.

Liverpool were beaten at Anfield by Crystal Palace on their last outing but on this occasion they ravaged the title favourites with a high-energy display from the outset.