Manchester City put on a masterclass performance against Liverpool, winning 4-1 and putting the pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The Gunners will have to break into the Etihad to get their hands on the trophy, as Pep Guardiola’s men know how to win titles and chase down opponents. Liverpool took the lead through Mohammed Salah in the 17th minute, but City came roaring back with goals from Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Jack Grealish. Grealish was excellent all afternoon, while De Bruyne is answering the call from his boss to find his very best form again. To think this was achieved without their top scorer Erling Haaland who is injured.
The build-up to Liverpool’s goal started with a long ball from Trent Alexander Arnold to Diogo Jota who burst clear from just inside the City half. It looked tight, but he was onside. Manuel Akanji did well to sprint back and hold him up in the box but when the ball ran loose Salah charged on to it and curled a shot into the far top corner. City responded and fashioned a chance for Ilkay Gundogan which he miskicked. When Mahrez had a free shot which he sent over as manager Pep Guardiola held his head in his hands. They were almost made to pay when Liverpool broke again this time with Salah running free but Grealish did superbly to sprint across the pitch and block his intended square ball to the unmarked Jota.
City’s equaliser would come from the boot of the man promoted into the first team on the back of Haaland’s injury. Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne scored after half-time. Mo Salah fired the Reds in front with his fine finish. De Bruyne spread the ball out wide to Gundogan who charged inside and passed to the opposite flank where Grealish was lurking. His low cross was perfect for Alvarez to turn in. Guardiola celebrated wildly. He even got right in the face of Liverpool subs Arthur Melo and Kostas Tsimikas who were walking back towards their bench after warming up. Tsimikas did well to keep his cool and ignore him.
The City boss would be leaping about and punching the air again as people were still taking their seats after the break. Alvarez found Mahrez and his slide rule square ball evaded the outstretched arm of Alisson allowing De Bruyne to side-foot home. Just seven minutes later it was three. Alvarez was involved again as his shot was blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold in front of his goalkeeper. The ball rebounded to Gundogan who scooped it into the back of the net. At that moment, the fight went out of this Liverpool side.
Klopp made a quadruple substitution with just over 20 minutes left, with even Salah brought off, as he tried to turn the tide. But his team were sunk. More waves of City attacks would come crashing in and another goal this time from the boot of Grealish in the 74th minute. A fine way to celebrate his new £10million-a-season boot deal with Puma who will have delighted with his man-of-the-match display. The record buy would roll the ball down the flank for De Bruyne then trot into the box to take the return and steer a shot past Alisson. Done and dusted.
Guardiola’s men know how to win titles, stay the course, and chase down an opponent. The Gunners could not have a worse sight in their rearview mirror as they try to break a 19-year drought. This was embarrassing for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who had to endure chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as his side slumped to a third successive defeat. He had asked his team to “show up and really go for it”. They didn’t. They won’t make the top four.