Manuel Pellegrini Needs a Swift Reaction from His Manchester City Players

It’s rare that Manuel Pellegrini openly criticises his players. The Manchester City manager, one of the game’s great man-managers, tends to keep everything in-house, protecting his squad from media condemnation.

However, on Saturday, in his press conference immediately after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, he broke with tradition.

“[I am] More than angry. It's an unbelievable performance. It is difficult to understand why we played so badly. Not just one name but as a complete team.

"Defending, attacking, possession—I've never seen this team play in the way we did tonight."

Michael Regan/Getty Images

It was a completely necessary lament. His players were shocking from start to finish in what was City’s heaviest defeat since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2003. The game was over after 32 minutes with Liverpool 3-0 up and in total control. 

Perhaps only Kevin De Bruyne, who tried to create whenever he had possession, and substitute Fabian Delph should escape criticism. City’s defending was shambolic, their midfield non-existent and with a striker returning from a seven-match absence, they looked short of energy upfront. There was no tempo or belief on display. 

There was a lack of organisation, movement and urgency. The contrast with Liverpool’s performance was stark. Pellegrini’s players had let him down, and he was right not to hide away from that fact.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

However, the Chilean also has questions to answer. His team selection confused many, particularly the decision to leave Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho, City’s player of the season so far, on the bench. Both had travelled to South America and played during the international break, but to rest two of the best-performing players in recent weeks for such an important game was negligible, no matter what their international exertions had been. 

But Pellegrini refused to discuss his thinking.

"I will not explain the starting XI," he said."If I had to choose the same starters, I would choose the same starters. Not one name or another name, it was a complete disaster for the whole team."

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#MCFC manager Manuel Pellegrini delivers his verdict after the defeat to @LFC: https://t.co/7txlZf7POC pic.twitter.com/RXBufPxg6L

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 21, 2015"

It was an unsatisfactory answer for fans concerned about the performance. City were thoroughly outplayed by a side with more cohesion and quality, and their manager seemed unwilling to give anything like a detailed explanation as to why it happened.

It’s important now for Pellegrini to turn the Liverpool defeat into something positive. The draw with Aston Villa, bottom of the table and struggling badly, was perhaps a precursor to the insipid, disjointed display against Klopp’s side.

But with a trip to Juventus on Wednesday followed by a Premier League game at home to Southampton and a League Cup quarter-final with Hull City, he needs a quick reaction from his players.

He was clearly angered by Saturday's ineffective performance and his players will have been left in no doubt the football they produced simply wasn't good enough. It's up to them to put things right, starting in Turin this week. 

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PELLEGRINI: "We have an important game on Wednesday (against Juventus) which we must look towards now." #mcfc

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 21, 2015"

City have been largely excellent for much of the season, with the win in Seville—their best Champions League performance to date—suggesting a side on a clear upward curve. The subsequent results have seen progress falter, but that shouldn't override what's been a positive campaign in many ways. 

Their injury list continues to hold them back, and they need the likes of David Silva and Vincent Kompany back to full fitness, but City have the best squad in the Premier League and remain favourites for the title.

A quick return to form will see the Villa and Liverpool results rendered nothing more than a blip. Anything more sustained, and their ambitions will begin to be damaged.  

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_.