Personality problems for Pellegrini
It was the worst performance of his tenure. As the wind ushered in a new level of cold late on Saturday night, Manuel Pellegrini stood at the mouth of the Etihad Stadium tunnel at a loss to explain why.
Like the snow that fell before the game, Manchester City weren't allowed to settle by a compact, direct and aggressive Liverpool who's tag as the worst converters of chances pre-match was shrugged off inside 35 minutes.
Pellegrini has always said that he doesn't feel pressure but the three or four times we have spoke this season have revealed an edginess and a prickliness.
As we exchanged questions and answers, he said he couldn't provide reasons as to why his team were so bad. Either that or he didn't want to.
© Getty Images
There are suggestions that he has been encouraged to be a little more amiable by the City hierarchy. Well, he wasn't singing from the corporate script in the aftermath of City's worst defeat at the Etihad.
Pellegrini refused to talk about individuals, dismissed anything about the absence of Vincent Kompany with whom they have conceded one goal in eight Premier League matches, without whom they have leaked 12 in five games.
He would not be drawn on the reasons for selecting Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis with Nicolas Otamendi wrapped up in a City snood on the bench.
The Chilean would also not heap the blame on the lumbering and ineffective Yaya Toure, or the reasons behind switching from 4-1-4-1 back to 4-2-3-1.
© Getty Images
Maybe he was incredulous about the performance, maybe as he said he truly doesn't know. Or maybe he finds it difficult to impress himself on this group of superstar players whose hunger wanes.
For it is not the first time that they have wilted at the sign of spirited opposition. Aston Villa, West Ham United, they needed luck against Crystal Palace and they hardly deserved their home win over Sevilla.
It is likely he communicates better in a dressing room, but his press conference and interviews are full of stock answers and mumbles. At least on Saturday night he was honest enough to say how bad City were.
I suggested in these pages in August that despite Pellegrini's new contract, he would not be in charge when the 2016-17 season commences. He doesn't win enough, and another of the problems is his persona. The image he projects is not that of a commander in chief, more or an engineer who tinkers behind the scenes and is often adverse to explain why his creation does or does not work. City require more leadership than that.
Yaya a liability in front of the defence
It worked against Sevilla to a tee. It was not the reason they drew with Villa, in fact it might have been THE reason City got a point in the Midlands.
So, why change back from an effective 4-1-4-1 formation with Fernando the protector in front of the back four and Yaya and Fernandinho pushed on, to a 4-2-3-1 at home against Liverpool?
© Getty Images
Saturday's formation restricts Yaya from doing his best work (going forward), and relies on him doing more defensively, which he now just doesn't bother to do.
He lumbered around the Etihad, looking disinterested and offered no help to the disastrous centre-half pairing of Mangala and Demichelis. He can't do that job any more I'm afraid. More importantly, he doesn't want to either.
Cherries in danger of getting buried
Eddie Howe is a man that I have known for over a decade. With his sunny appearance and sandy hair he is the archetypal coastal dweller.
Laid back, relaxed and fantastic company, he is also an excellent football manager with a way of inspiring loyalty and getting the most out his players.
© Getty Images
He has principles too, and you have to admire that. Eddie wants the game to be played with excitement and flair. He wants diligence and hard work, but he wants you and the players to enjoy it.
But his refusal to change his style will be costly unless Bournemouth start to win more matches. Being 2-0 up away from home against a team that are struggling to win is a gift. You can't afford to offer a present in return and the Cherries did.
Twenty-seven goals conceded is the worst in the league, even worse than Sunderland, and unless they are careful it will be difficult to escape from under that avalanche of goals.
Doomed Villa
No team has ever survived in the Premier League with five points from 12 games. That statistic is not under threat. After a spirited display against a lacklustre City it was back to normal for Villa against Everton.
© Getty Images
The first job in January for any manager in Remi Garde's position would be to buy a left-back, or loan one of requisite quality because of the injury to Jordan Amavi. But, let's be honest - how much chance will he have to spend anything under this regime? Doomed.
No problem with being sent to Coventry
Jacob Murphy and Adam Armstrong are proving life on the loan circuit is no bad thing, especially if you end up at the Ricoh Arena.
A year ago Murphy (Norwich City) was sent back from Blackpool after an ill-advised social media gaffe mocking their plight. On Saturday his hat-trick took the England Under-20 star to seven goals in 19 games. Not bad for a winger in League One.
Armstrong, on loan from beleaguered Newcastle United, has 12 goals and is the top scorer in League One.
It does beg the question why the Premier League duo, grappling for points at the bottom of the division, aren't keeping these talents for themselves?
Sam Matterface will commentate on Manchester United vs. PSV Eindhoven for ITV Sport's Champions League Highlights show this Wednesday from 10pm. Then, on Sunday, he will lead talkSPORT's commentary of Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea at 12pm.
