Liverpool:
A. No Mane. Mane was the front warrior. Salah scores, but Mane was the attack dog.
B. No Thiago in midfield. No cleverness.
C. Henderson, the most underrated great player in football these last three years, looks just a little older for the first time. Last year a commentator said that City and Liverpool were great football teams but because of two entirely different midfield philosophies: "City are Footballers; Liverpool are Hunters." Liverpool scores off The Hunt. If Henderson can't drive that pack as well, the Dogs can't hunt. And NO, Elliot wasn't fantastic --- he finally completed some passes and extended attacks in the second half. He still cannot hunt in coordination with the pack.
Maybe Henderson will find his old stride and with Fabinho and somebody else reestablish the domination of the midfield. If that doesn't happen --- long season of good not great football. You can't win regularly if you don't boss the engine room. (another commentator remark.)
