Manchester City delivered a commanding statement of intent on Sunday, dismissing Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium to celebrate manager Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th match in management.
The victory carries significant implications for the Premier League title race, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to just four points. For Liverpool, the chastening defeat deals a severe blow to their own title ambitions, extending a poor run of form.
City’s performance was a powerful answer to questions raised after last season, showcasing the tempo and clinical edge that has defined their previous title-winning campaigns.
Erling Haaland set City on their way, rising to meet a Matheus Nunes cross with a towering header to score his 99th Premier League goal. The goal capped a 19-pass move that epitomized Guardiola’s style. Haaland had earlier seen a penalty uncharacteristically saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The lead was doubled just before half-time when Nico Gonzalez’s deflected shot wrong-footed Mamardashvili, effectively ending the contest. City’s 3-0 victory was sealed in the second half.
The win provided a fitting present for Guardiola, who has now overseen 1,000 games from the dugout across his career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
“I just want to say thank you to the players, backroom staff to give me that present,” Guardiola said. “I’m proud to do it here in Manchester with my City… For me, it has been so special to make 1,000 games in front of my family and especially against Liverpool.”
City’s title push was bolstered by Arsenal dropping two points in a draw at Sunderland on Saturday, allowing the champions to gain ground.
Liverpool’s struggles continue
For Liverpool, the result marked a fifth loss in their last six league matches, leaving them languishing in eighth place, eight points off the top.
Manager Arne Slot lamented a key decision before half-time, when a Virgil van Dijk header that would have leveled the score at 1-1 was disallowed. Defender Andy Robertson was judged to be in an offside position, interfering with City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The defeat also highlighted the difficult adaptation of Liverpool’s costly summer signings. Florian Wirtz, a reported £116m signing, struggled with the game’s physicality and was subjected to taunts from the home supporters before being substituted. Fellow new arrivals Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, a £125m acquisition, also failed to make an impact, with the latter remaining an unused substitute.
A standout for the hosts was winger Jeremy Doku, who was described as “unstoppable.” The 23-year-old, signed for £55.4m in 2023, gave the Liverpool defence a torrid time with his pace and directness, cementing his role as a key catalyst for City’s revitalised attack.
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