Manchester, Nov 9: Manchester City delivered a commanding performance to defeat Liverpool 3–0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th game in management with a statement win that reignited City’s Premier League title charge.
Despite missing an early penalty through Erling Haaland, City dominated proceedings and took the lead in the 29th minute when the Norwegian striker made amends with a powerful header — his 99th Premier League goal for the club.
City doubled their advantage just before half-time when Nico González’s long-range effort took a deflection and wrong-footed the Liverpool goalkeeper. The home side maintained complete control after the break, with Jérémy Doku sealing victory in the 63rd minute with a superb strike from outside the box.
Liverpool struggled to find rhythm or space throughout the game, with their midfield overrun and defence exposed by City’s relentless pressing. A disallowed goal from Virgil van Dijk summed up a frustrating afternoon for Jürgen Klopp’s side, who now sit mid-table after a run of inconsistent performances.
Guardiola, meanwhile, praised his players for their composure and intensity. “The team responded perfectly — even after the missed penalty, we stayed calm and played our football,” the City boss said.
The victory lifted City to second place, just four points behind league leaders Arsenal, keeping them firmly in the title race. For Liverpool, the defeat raises fresh questions about their defensive organisation and ability to compete against the top sides this season.
City next face Aston Villa midweek, while Liverpool will look to regroup when they host Brentford at Anfield.
