Craig Burley expressed his view that Jeremy Doku didn’t meet expectations in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Saturday. In ESPN FC, the pundit suggested that Doku’s decision-making fell short, marking a rare occasion of a less than stellar performance from the player.
The Etihad Stadium’s reception to the Belgian’s arrival has been overwhelmingly positive, with Glenn Murray highlighting that dynamic players like him are what attract him to football.
Craig Burley criticized Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku for his performance against Liverpool, describing it as “pretty poor.” This assessment has drawn attention to the 21-year-old’s display against Jurgen Klopp’s team.
While some observers commend the £55.5 million player for his efforts, others believe his subpar decision-making and lack of effective contribution made his game tedious to watch.
Craig Burley shares the view of those critical of Doku, feeling that the player failed to deceive against Liverpool. He highlighted a specific incident involving Joel Matip outmaneuvering Doku, suggesting that Doku was not assertive enough in his play.
Burley felt that Doku’s approach mirrored that against a weaker team, especially after Manchester City let slip two points at home. He pointed out Doku’s tendency to hold onto the ball excessively, missing opportunities for better passes.
Despite the criticism, it’s unfair to entirely fault Jeremy Doku. Despite lacking sharpness in the final pass against Liverpool, he was still among Manchester City’s standout performers.
Doku’s remarkable dribbling skills were evident, although he faced opposition from multiple defenders at times. He managed to outplay defenders on the left side or in deeper central areas.
Even though Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland couldn’t capitalize on chances created by Doku, his overall performance against a top title contender like Liverpool was commendable. While not flawless throughout, his resilience and potential remain promising for Manchester City.
