Liverpool underlined their Premier League title credentials with 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield, on Sunday.
The game extends their lead at the top of the table to nine points.
Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah piled more misery on Pep Guardiola’s struggling side, who now sit outside the top four after a strange run of form.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing Salah’s cross at the far post, leaving City’s defense flat-footed.
Despite City briefly threatening in the first half with a scuffed shot from Rico Lewis, they were largely outclassed by Arne Slot’s relentless Liverpool, who controlled the game with their high pressing and clinical passing.
City’s lack of cutting edge was evident, with Erling Haaland the only player in the starting XI to have scored a league goal this season.
Guardiola’s controversial decision to bench Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson further limited City’s attacking effort.
In the second half, Liverpool remained in control. Salah doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Darwin Nunez won the spot-kick by dispossessing Ruben Dias and setting up Luis Diaz, who was fouled by City’s backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Guardiola eventually introduced De Bruyne, but his late arrival could not spark a comeback.
Liverpool’s defense, controlled by Virgil van Dijk, remained firm, with Caoimhin Kelleher making a crucial save to deny De Bruyne late on.
The defeat marks City’s sixth in their last seven matches, a stark contrast to Liverpool’s dominance under Slot, who has now guided the Reds to 18 wins in 20 games across all competitions.
