‘Pretty good’: Neville seriously impressed by two Liverpool players who were really ‘aggressive’ v Man City

Gary Neville was seriously impressed by Liverpool defenders Joe Gomez and James Milner on Sky Sports today – praising them for an ‘aggressive’ approach in the first-half. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men were looking to bounce back in the Premier League today after their loss against Arsenal last weekend. 

The Reds got off to a brilliant start to the game and were causing Pep Guardiola’s men serious problems. Liverpool looked more like the side that fought for the quadruple last season in the opening half. 

The right-hand side of Liverpool’s defence raised a few eyebrows before kick-off as Milner got the nod to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. And Gomez was also handed a start at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk.

But the pair impressed Neville during the first-half as they dealt with the threat of Phil Foden. 

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Neville seriously impressed by Gomez and Milner

During the opening period, Foden was on the receiving end of a strong tackle by Gomez. And the moment earned him and Milner some praise from Neville. 

“Gomez and Milner have been pretty good in the first half an hour,” Neville said while co-commentating on Sky Sports. 

“They’ve really made a big effort to be aggressive on that side of the pitch. 

“Just covering Milner [Gomez tackle]. [He] does well the centre-back.” 

Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

It was a big decision by Klopp to drop Alexander-Arnold for such a big clash. But Milner certainly proved to be a solid choice as he filled in at right-back.

Liverpool were by far the better side in the opening 45 minutes but Erling Haaland still had a couple of chances to put City ahead. 

Foden did have the ball in the back of the net inside ten minutes of the second-half but Haaland was judged to have fouled Fabinho in the build-up.

City began to dominate the game at Anfield after Ederson made a huge save to deny Mohamed Salah. But the Reds defended resolutely and kept themselves on level terms.

And Salah made no mistake with his second big chance in the game. The Egyptian winger outmuscled Cancelo after a long pass from And Salah made no mistake with his second big chance in the game. The Egyptian winger outmuscled Cancelo after a long pass from Alisson Becker up the pitch.

The 30-year-old lifted the ball over Ederson brilliantly to hand Liverpool a massive three points at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp was sent-off by referee Anthony Taylor after reacting furiously to what he thought was a foul by Bernardo Silva on Salah later in the game. But the German boss will be delighted to pick up a massive win against the Premier League champions today.

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