"I must admit": Nigel de Jong gives "complaining" Liverpool star the benefit of the doubt after Man City mistake

Nigel de Jong told Premier League Productions (10/04/22 at 6:40 pm) that Fabinho made a mistake against Manchester City that "can't happen."

The 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City was an intense tactical battle between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

Yet, like almost every football match, it was decided by mistakes as Fabinho, Joel Matip, Ederson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker will all look back and wish they did better in key moments.

De Jong said after the game that while Kevin De Bruyne was lucky to get a deflection on the shot that spun past Alisson Becker, Fabinho will be kicking himself.

“It was a lucky deflection, I must admit,” said de Jong. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck when you shoot from outside of the box.

“Fabinho was complaining here, not looking at Kevin de Bruyne. But this is too easy, as a defensive midfielder this can’t happen.

“You have to make sure he can’t pass you on the edge of the box. Of course, sometimes you need a little bit of luck, it was a deflection and Man City were 1-0 up, deserved and they were the better team for the first 60 minutes.”

Fabinho has been asked to shoulder most of the blame for the Reds' opener but Jordan Henderson was just as guilty because the skipper had his back turned to Bernardo Silva, who took the free-kick quickly.

On another day, I might have complained that the free-kick was not taken where the foul took place but Liverpool didn't have the bravery required to come out and take the game to Manchester City so the result likely would have been the same even if they hadn't conceded in the first 5 minutes.

Jurgen Klopp is now preparing his side to face Benfica again in the Champions League as his men look to book their spot in the semifinals, heading into the quarterfinals second leg with a 3-1 aggregate.

Following that hugely important tie, Liverpool will face Man City again as a trip to Wembley is up next this weekend.

If the Reds beat the Blues, they will be in the FA Cup final and if they don't, their quadruple dreams will be in tatters.