It was a very good game. Both teams took the game seriously. Pool looked a little sharper and fitter, but City were more in control of the game without threatening Pool much. With Alisson in, Pool would look complete, Adrian wasn't convincing much. Trent was like watching Becks play RB, Henderson pressed up front and made unbelievable runs, and Thiago and Fabinho were strong. Darwin Nunez didn't show enough to warrant 85$mill. Pool overpaid for sure. But he was quiet a handful today. Strong in air, hard working, non-stop runs. His press wasn't as good as Firmino and his touch is still not convincing. He will be a great player for them though, Klopp likes the working class kind over elites . I don't think Pool is desperate for his goals having kept Salah. Between him, Diaz, Firmino and Jota (yes we can't forget the little prick), Pool looks well set up front.
City were city as usual. Slightly off pace, but controlled the game back to front. Halaand looks great, despite the miss. Even Kane hasn't pushed Van Dijk physically as much as Halaand did. His runs were off kilt with the team, which is understandable as he is new. He was strong and direct, and looked ready to score. Their system looks great, sliced through the vaunted Pool defense multiple times. Cancelo was a handful on their left. KDB was KDB, magnificent, a brilliant mix of Scholes+Gerrard . The best part about City was they brought in Gundogan and Foden at hour mark. The depth is unbelievably good. Their midfield looked a little knackered, but that will grow with playing time. Defense was solid, I would still take Walker over Trent for the World Cup, he is much more solid at both ends of the field.
These 2 teams look like the Hallmark for this season. Only when we are ready to dominate them 2, we will be winning the league and realistically it wont be this season, we look some way off.