No Haaland, no party: Man City winners, losers and ratings as Mahrez flops in Copenhagen stalemate

Erling Haaland:

It’s no coincidence that City’s first blank of the season came in the first game that their marquee summer signing did not start. After netting 20 goals already, Haaland has looked almost unstoppable, and him being away from the action only underlined his importance. It was, though, a precious 90 minutes rest for the Norwegian after a hectic start to the life at the Etihad Stadium and with a visit to Anfield on the horizon.

Liverpool:

Jurgen Klopp has an injury crisis to deal with ahead of Sunday’s game, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Joel Matip the latest to enter the Anfield treatment room. He will, then, have been happy to see City forced to play for over an hour with only 10 men and pushed so hard in a game that was expected to be a stroll ahead of the two teams’ meeting on Sunday. Already 14 points off the top of the Premier League and 13 behind reigning champions City, that clash is a must-win if Liverpool are to keep any title hopes that they still have alive. Haaland may have stayed on the bench , but many of Guardiola’s other main men were given an unnecessary and draining workout.

Kamil Grabara:

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Grabara was Copenhagen’s man of the match a week ago at the Etihad Stadium, despite a 5-0 defeat, making 12 saves. And he was the hero again on Tuesday when he guessed right to deny Riyad Mahrez’s first-half penalty. City have missed now 24 penalties in all competitions under Guardiola, nine more than any other Premier League side over the same period. But Grabara won’t care about City’s appalling record, and can look back on his two appearances against the Premier League champions with huge pride.