Manchester City delivered a resounding statement of intent, defeating reigning Premier League champions Liverpool 3-0 in a dominant display at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The victory, which coincided with Pep Guardiola's 1,000th game as a manager, saw City close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just four points. In contrast, Liverpool's title defence appears to be faltering, leaving them trailing Arsenal by eight points.
The match began with City on the front foot, their attacking intent clear from the outset. Jeremy Doku, who was a constant threat to the Liverpool defence, earned his side a penalty after being fouled by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, Mamardashvili made amends by saving Erling Haaland's powerful spot-kick. Haaland, though, wouldn't be denied for long. In the 27th minute, he headed home a precise cross from Matheus Nunes, giving City a deserved lead. The goal was the culmination of a flowing move, with every City outfield player touching the ball in the build-up.
Liverpool thought they had found an equaliser through Virgil van Dijk's header from a corner, but it was disallowed for offside. Andy Robertson was deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper's view from an offside position. Just before halftime, City doubled their advantage when Nico Gonzalez's long-range strike deflected off Van Dijk and past Mamardashvili.
City continued their dominance in the second half, with Doku capping off a stellar performance with a stunning goal in the 61st minute. The Belgian winger cut inside and curled a shot past Mamardashvili, sealing the victory for City. Doku's overall performance was exceptional, as he became the first player since Eden Hazard in 2019 to record a goal, win 10+ duels, complete 7+ dribbles, create 3+ chances, and have 3+ shots on target in a single Premier League game.
Liverpool struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match. Gianluigi Donnarumma, in goal for City, was relatively untroubled, with Liverpool's attack failing to fire. The Reds' woes were further compounded by a perceived harsh offside call and a lack of defensive solidity.
This defeat marks Liverpool's fifth loss in their opening eleven Premier League games, a stark contrast to their title-winning season where they only lost four games in total. This is their worst start to a Premier League season as defending champions since Leicester City in 2016/17. Arne Slot, Liverpool's manager, now faces mounting pressure to turn things around after this disappointing result.
For Manchester City, this victory is a significant statement of their title credentials. Guardiola's tactical masterclass, combined with outstanding performances from Doku, Haaland, and Gonzalez, showcased City's strength and depth. The win propels them into second place, just four points behind Arsenal, setting the stage for an intriguing title race.
