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Manchester City thrashed 10 man Liverpool as they sent out an ominous message cheap seahawks jerseys of intent to their Premier League title rivalsLiverpool's bright start to the Premier League season came crashing down to earth from the heights of the scintillating win over Arsenal at Anfield to the depths of painful defeat at Manchester City.
The 5 0 loss Jurgen Klopp's heaviest in almost two years at Liverpool and his joint worst defeat as a manager cheap nfl jerseys after losing 6 1 to Werder Bremen at Mainz in Germany must be placed in context.
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when key forward Sadio Mane was sent off for a high challenge that saw Manchester City keeper Ederson taken off on a stretcher after 37 minutes and were also up against a City side that can be an irresistible attacking force.
It was, however, still a harrowing afternoon for Liverpool and Klopp, a hefty comedown from the euphoria of the champagne football that swept Arsenal aside.
Pep and I didn't think it was a red KloppGame was tight before Mane red GuardiolaWhat next for Philippe Coutinho, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Sanchez? Liverpool's brutal reality checkLiverpool deserved every bouquet that was thrown in their direction after their destruction of Arsenal in fact, perhaps they did not get enough credit.
The Gunners' failings were picked over relentlessly almost to the detriment of a Liverpool display that was a flashback to the 2013 14 nfl store season when they almost brought the title to Anfield on a tidal wave of attacking football.
Liverpool were high on optimism when they arrived at Etihad Stadium, buoyed by an impressive recent record against Manchester City and their own burgeoning confidence.
There were good signs early on but it was the cold showers of reality that were falling on Klopp and his players from leaden skies above Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City took real relish in dishing out heavy punishment to a side and manager that have troubled them in recent seasons and the second half was a chastening experience as the victory margin could have been even wider.
Klopp, quite rightly after Liverpool's first Premier League defeat of the season, was quick to try to restore order and avoid over reaction as he said: "If City take too much confidence from this game they make a mistake, and if we lose confidence from this game we also make a mistake."
It is a message he will be keen to reinforce with his players before they face Sevilla at Anfield on their return to the Champions League on Wednesday, because this was a heavy hit on the day they hoped to re affirm their title ambitions.
Dejan Lovren was an unused substitute at Manchester CityLiverpool's defensive frailty exposedLiverpool will point to Mane's red card as the moment which threw the door fully open for Manchester City but the defensive failings they have yet to fully address were being unpicked even before the Senegal forward's dismissal.
Watford hinted at problems nflshop.com unresolved in the 3 3 draw at Vicarage Road on the opening weekend and City's array of attacking talent was always likely to probe that soft underbelly even more forensically.
Liverpool's defence was going to be tested even before they had to operate with a numerical disadvantage, but there has to be real concern at the manner in which they were constantly cut apart in the second half, 10 men or not.
The return of the journeyman Ragnar Klavan in place of Dejan Lovren underscored the need for reinforcements in central defence, although it would be harsh to place responsibility at his door when Liverpool's midfield offered little in the way of protection.
Southampton's Virgil van Dijk was Klopp's top priority in the summer transfer market, with Liverpool willing to smash their transfer record and pay around for the Netherlands defender.
As has been well chronicled, the deal failed after things got messy amid allegations of illegal approaches to the player, a subsequent Liverpool apology and withdrawal of interest plus cheap nfl jerseys Southampton's refusal to sell.
Klopp, and plenty will say this is to his credit, refused to pay money on cheaper imitations or second choices when his first pick was out of reach. It does not, though, cure a very immediate difficulty.