Reds desperately lacking quality

Liverpool's hopes of piling further misery on embattled Manchester City foundered on a lack of resources through injury - and a lack of quality from big-money players they hoped would step up.

Head coach Andoni Iraola suffered without those injured during the international break, with Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo all missing.

Despite the noisy support of Liverpool's fans fired up by Manchester City's presence, they could not sustain any momentum.

Spain winger Victor Munoz was a glowing exception, but Liverpool must expect far more from £116m Florian Wirtz, as well as £123m summer signing Bradley Barcola.

Wirtz, as he has done for most of his Liverpool career, looked lightweight and off the pace, an easy proposition for City in the physical challenges. It was no surprise when he was substituted after 66 minutes.

Barcola also failed to last the course after an afternoon spent losing possession and running up blind alleys. He may still be adjusting to the Premier League - but there is no such explanation for the bitterly disappointing Wirtz.