Super-sub: Tevez swung the match in favour of the
visitors after coming off the bench
The day’s main talking point ended inconclusively
after Liverpool
and Manchester City
both passed up the chance of putting down a marker about
their Champions League prospects.
But there was no mistaking the message Carlos Tevez had to
digest.
The former Manchester United striker’s demotion to the bench had
been predicted, but the same could hardly be said of the
explanation from manager Mark Hughes.
City’s stellar signing of last summer owed everything to Tevez
tiring of his limited involvement under Sir Alex Ferguson and
believing he would be valued more highly at Eastlands.
He may think again after a development that illustrated how
managing City these days comes with demands that never used to
apply.
Hughes has his hands full trying to keep everyone happy, from
owners who want a return on their investment to players who
struggle with the concept of squad utilisation.
Six straight draws suggest the first part could be going better,
while saluting Tevez’s qualities as a substitute will do little for
the second.
It wasn’t what the 25-year-old had in mind when he moved, but he
may have to get used to it after going on in the second half and
sparking a revival that almost left Rafa Benitez having to explain
a sixth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season.
Carlos has had a bit of a problem with his knee, but not
starting him was a tactical thing,’ declared Hughes. ‘You are not
going to go gung-ho at Anfield because the likelihood is you will
concede goals.
‘Once we went behind it was time to introduce him. It was always
my intention to bring him on at some point, because of the impact
he can have from the bench. He got us into a winning position which
we didn’t see through.
'He won’t play every game, as a lot of others won’t, because we
have a good squad. It has been frustrating for him.’
What was supposed to be one of the most revealing fixtures of
the season, in terms of top four places, demonstrated little other
than both sides’ shortcomings at the back.
