Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th match as a manager in style as Manchester City cruised to victory against Liverpool at Etihad Stadium.
The meeting of two sides hoping to catch Premier League pace-setters Arsenal turned into a one-sided affair as City dominated to go second and trim the Gunners’ lead to four points.
City halted Liverpool’s recent mini-revival in its tracks, with Erling Haaland almost inevitably setting them on their way as he continued his remarkable scoring form with his 28th goal for club and country this season.
Haaland had uncharacteristically wasted an earlier opportunity to give City the lead when his penalty was saved by Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had been penalised for upending Jeremy Doku.
The Norway striker made amends after 29 minutes with a soaring header into the right corner from Matheus Nunes’ cross, capping a magnificent passing move.
It was Haaland’s first goal against Liverpool in a match that Virgil van Dijk has started.
Liverpool thought they had equalised before half-time when captain Van Dijk rose to head home Mohamed Salah’s corner, but their celebrations were curtailed as the goal was ruled out for offside, Andy Robertson ducking in front of City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to allow the ball to go in.
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City added insult to Liverpool’s injury in first-half stoppage time when Nico Gonzalez’s 20-yard shot deflected in off Van Dijk, with Mamardashvili wrong-footed.
Doku tormented the Liverpool defence, Conor Bradley in particular, and the Belgium winger produced a moment of individual brilliance to extend City’s lead soon after the hour, curling a superb right-foot effort beyond Ma
Manchester City analysis: Brilliant Doku tears Liverpool apart
Doku has been accused, often justifiably, of showing frustrating inconsistency since joining Manchester City in a £55.4m deal from Rennes in August 2023.
The 23-year-old has put all that aside this season to become one of the major catalysts in Guardiola’s restructured side, as he proved with an outstanding performance that made life a misery for Liverpool’s defence.
Doku gave Conor Bradley, outstanding when Liverpool beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, a torrid time. The Reds right-back was outpaced and turned inside out by sheer speed and power.
It was Doku who set the tone for a City display that was a real statement of intent, not only overcoming the side who have been their main rivals for so long but also firing a warning to Arsenal that they are now breathing down their necks.
Haaland, as always, was the spearhead, but he was aided and abetted by the promptings of Doku, the revitalised Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
Liverpool, champions last season, had their moments in the second half, but City never lost control.
Whenever the hosts were threatened, the giant figure of goalkeeper Donnarumma demonstrated that Guardiola has invested in world-class quality. This was never more notable than when the Italian made a flying save from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Guardiola and City travelled through stormy waters last season, but the creation, composure and sheer threat contained in this emphatic dismissal of Liverpool was a clear message that normal service is close to being resumed.
Liverpool analysis: Slot brought down to earth by dominant Man City
Liverpool ‘completely dominated’ by Manchester City in first half, says Arne Slot
Liverpool’s recent upturn in form brought impressive victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, following six defeats in seven games.
But it was ended brutally in the face of City superiority.
Arne Slot’s side were put firmly in their place as once again Liverpool’s defence looked vulnerable, while their build-up was ponderous, lacking sharpness.
Slot was infuriated when Van Dijk’s header was ruled out for offside, but City were already the more powerful and creative team and that moment happened firmly against the run of play.
Once Van Dijk deflected Gonzalez’s shot past Mamardashvili seconds before half-time, the contest was effectively over.
This was another disappointing day for Liverpool’s £116m summer signing Florian Wirtz, who looked lightweight in the face of City’s physical challenges, and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Federico Chiesa with seven minutes left.
Wirtz, who rejected City’s advances to join Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, felt the full force of the home fans’ mockery as they chanted “What a waste of money” while he walked off disconsolately.
It is too early to write off a title challenge after 11 games, especially when it involves the team who lifted the trophy in May, but Liverpool are now eight points behind leaders Arsenal and have lost five times already.
With City picking up ominous momentum, Slot’s side face an increasingly uphill struggle to retain their crown.
Manchester City return to action after the international break with a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday, 22 November.
Liverpool will be in action on the same day when Sean Dyche brings his Nottingham Forest side to Anfield.
BBC Sports
