Inside Liverpool’s Secret Playbook: The Unseen Battle to Stop Manchester City’s Unstoppable Star

The Belgian had the beating of his man, and not only his man, but his man’s cavalry as well.

Taking a look at Ibrahima Konate’s heatmap from the Etihad meeting, you’d be forgiven for thinking Slot had started the Frenchman at right-back.

He may as well have done, based on the amount of time he spent over on that side with doubling up on Doku with Bradley.

It made little impact, highlighted best when the pair rushed over to retrieve the ball, only to botch the interception and gift Doku the ball back, which led to Haaland’s chance from the spot after the winger was tripped by Mamardashvili.

Konate didn’t have the greatest day in the office, City having seemingly set their press up to direct the ball to the Frenchman, leading to multiple turnovers – a point Guardiola wouldn’t be drawn on in his post-match interview with Sky, so as not to single out and embarrass the centre-back.

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