Danny Murphy: Doku's Stunning Display Highlights Liverpool's Tactical Flaw

Jeremy Doku’s scintillating performance for Manchester City in their 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday was not merely a product of his own brilliance, but also a result of the hosts’ tactical vulnerabilities. As Danny Murphy analyzed in his column, Liverpool’s decision to leave Mohamed Salah high up the pitch without defensive responsibilities exposed the right flank, allowing Doku to exploit the gaps with ease.

Conor Bradley, tasked with containing Doku, found himself overwhelmed by the dual threat of the City attacker and Nico O’Reilly, who frequently surged forward from his attacking role. Murphy noted that Bradley was often left in a dilemma: committing to Doku or retreating to cover O’Reilly. This indecision created chaos, as Doku thrived in the space left unguarded.

Liverpool’s midfield struggled to provide adequate support. Ryan Gravenberch was forced to retreat centrally to mark players like Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, leaving Bradley isolated. Ibrahima Konate attempted to assist, but his frequent repositioning to cover Bradley’s flank opened up additional gaps in the middle, compounding the problem.

“More than half of City’s attacks came down their left, through Doku and O’Reilly,” Murphy remarked, emphasizing the deliberate nature of Manchester City’s strategy. He pointed out that this tactic mirrored Chelsea’s approach against Liverpool earlier in the season, where the same vulnerability was targeted. However, Sunday’s match proved even more damaging, with Doku dominating the right flank and contributing significantly to City’s attack.

While some may argue that Liverpool has historically succeeded without Salah tracking back, Murphy stressed the importance of balance. “There’s a difference between never doing it and sometimes doing it,” he wrote, recalling Salah’s defensive contributions during Liverpool’s previous win at the Etihad. In this match, though, Salah’s refusal to drop deeper left Bradley to face a relentless two-on-one scenario, a decision Murphy found puzzling.

Despite Doku’s heroics, Murphy suggested that Liverpool’s failure to adapt during the game was a larger issue. The Reds’ lack of pressing intensity and slow transitions in possession further exacerbated their struggles. As the clock ticked, the absence of a defensive midfielder to shield Bradley’s flank became glaringly obvious, a flaw that cannot be ignored if Liverpool hopes to compete with elite opponents.