Preview: Liverpool v Manchester City

In a battle of the under-performers, City go to Liverpool with both sides knowing that a victory is required to kickstart their League campaign. A draw would normally be a decent result for us, but having just witnessed five increasingly demoralising stalemates, a victory is now required to lift us back into top-four contention.

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Player ratings: United Arab Emirates v Manchester City

Taylor – Nightmare. Needless concession of a penalty when failing to deal with a backpass; followed in the second-half by gifting another chance when failing to hold a cross. An excellent stoppage time save was a crumb of comfort. 3

Trippier – The former youth team skipper showed plenty of endeavour, but to many long balls failed to reach a target. 5

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Verdict: United Arab Emirates 1 Manchester City 0

With Sheikh Mansour picking up the tab for a seven star hotel in a way that Darius Vassell could do with right now, City repaid this generous hospitality by allowing the host nation victory via a first-half penalty calamitously conceded by Stuart Taylor.

In many ways it was what we’ve come to expect under Mark Hughes’ tenure. Plenty of professionalism and organisation in the build-up to the game, followed by a disjointed performance once we go out on the pitch.

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Player ratings: Manchester City v Burnley

Given – Produced an excellent reaction save to a flicked header just prior to the second goal. The Irishman couldn’t be faulted on a bad day elsewhere for the defence. 7

Zabaleta – A decent performance even if the Argentine didn’t manage to supply any of the quality crosses of which he’s capable. 7

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