Manchester City May Well Regret Ignoring Jurgen Klopp's Availability

When Manchester City went into the summer, they had a decision to make on the future of their manager. Manuel Pellegrini and his squad had underperformed last season, but with Pep Guardiola, surely the club’s first choice to take over when the Chilean does leave, remaining at Bayern Munich until at least the end of his contract in 2016, it was decided Pellegrini deserved another season to put things right.

Even the availability of Jurgen Klopp didn’t spark a change in their thinking. The German left Borussia Dortmund in the summer after performing miracles during a seven-year stint in charge. His final season saw some regression, but two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final in 2013 represented a remarkable tenure. Add in his record at Mainz, where he spent seven years before moving to Dortmund and completely revolutionised the club from top to bottom, and Klopp left Westfalenstadion this summer considered one of the elite managers in world football.

For much of the season, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the City chairman, has been rewarded for his patience and backing of Pellegrini. The Blues have looked far superior to the one that limped to a second-place finish in the Premier League during the last campaign, with pace and urgency injected into a side who suffered from inertia throughout 2014/15.

Jon Super/Associated Press

On Saturday, though, their performance in the 4-1 defeat against Liverpool, managed by Klopp, was dismal, and there must have been a few moments during the match where City’s board member looked at the German’s team, with their organisation and devastating counter-attacking football, and wondered whether they were right to ignore his availability.

This was the finest performance by a Premier League side this season. Liverpool’s passing was quick and incisive; their movement purposeful and inventive. Their 4-1 win inflicted on City was their heaviest home defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Klopp now has as many away wins against top-four sides in six weeks as Brendan Rodgers achieved in three years. His ideas are definitely taking root. 

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Three of #LFC's four goals v Man City were scored by Reds players. Which was your favourite? pic.twitter.com/kQ6hTSiMFv

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 21, 2015"

It’s doubtful there were too many who saw it coming. Klopp has improved Liverpool since his arrival, but his squad still lacks quality, evidenced by the 2-1 home defeat they suffered to Crystal Palace in their last Premier League fixture. Yet they absolutely destroyed City, particularly in the first 30 minutes as they continually cut through the Blues’ back four, scoring three goals without reply and putting the game to beyond Pellegrini’s men.

Klopp, may have only been at the club a few weeks, but his influence is clear. Their passing, in stark contrast to City’s, was crisp and purposeful; their game plan executed beautifully. City could not contain them. 

Lucas, Emre Can and James Milner provided solidity in the middle, and upfront, Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino, who had his best game for the club, were devastating. This was a game between two of football’s purists, but Pellegrini got his team selection wrong, while Klopp got his spot on.

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Well done guys !!!! 👍🏿 #Liverpool #LFC #YNWA @LFC pic.twitter.com/ZgDjBmcfCu

— Mamadou Sakho (@mamadousakho3) November 21, 2015"

With Vincent Kompany out injured and Nicolas Otamendi rested because of his exertions during the international break, it was left to Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala to partner one another at the centre of City’s defence. They looked completely lost throughout, with City's defending, at times, comical. 

Pellegrini certainly wasn't laughing, though. Demichelis, who has been an excellent servant for City, looks to be done at City after this performance and a January move surely beckons. Pellegrini's decision to hand him a new one-year deal and send promising youngster Jason Denayer on loan to Galatasaray looks increasingly questionable. 

And Mangala, who has looked much more solid alongside Kompany this season, was all over the place, struggling with his footwork and passing, and clearly not in sync with his fellow defenders. His own goal after just seven minutes set the tone for the match, and he struggled to refocus thereafter. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

It is true City were missing both Kompany and David Silva, two of their most important players, with Sergio Aguero, who started for the first time in seven games, not fully fit, but there were no excuses for such a catastrophic display. To be so over-reliant on a couple of star names when you've invested as much as city have is negligible. 

Fabian Delph was the one tiny bright spot for City. His time at the club has been beset by injury, but his half-time introduction saw him given his first proper run out, and he added some urgency and dynamism to the Blues midfield. Unfortunately for Pellegrini, the midfielder was pretty much alone in his endeavour. 

"It was a complete disaster, the whole team," said a clearly shell-shocked Pellegrini afterwards. "I am more than angry. It is unbelievable the performance we had.

"It is difficult to understand why we should play so badly—not just one name but a complete team in defending or attacking possession.

"We have an important game on Wednesday (against Juventus), which we must look towards now."

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It wasn't a good performance on our part, but I don't blow wins or losses out of proportion. Now focused on Wednesday's game.

— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 21, 2015"

The result sees City slip to third in the table, behind Leicester City and Manchester United, with a trip to Turin to play Juventus in the Champions League next on the agenda. 

City's season has been largely impressive, but the effects of this defeat, which saw them battered for much of the game, will be difficult to combat. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.