Liverpool continued its push for the Premier League title with a dominant 2-0 victory away against Manchester City on February 23, solidifying its lead at the top of the table. The Liverpool team, under the guidance of coach Arne Slot, remains unbeaten with 64 points after this victory, now 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
The Reds opened the scoring early, as Mohamed Salah netted his 25th goal of the season with the match's first goal coming in the 14th minute. Following excellent buildup play from Liverpool, Dominic Szoboszlai flicked the ball from the corner kick to Salah, who managed to find the back of the net following a fortunate deflection, marking his sixth consecutive goal in the league.
Szoboszlai would also contribute directly to Liverpool's second goal, scored by himself in the 37th minute. After receiving a well-weighted pass from Salah, he coolly slotted the ball past City's goalkeeper Ederson, doubling Liverpool’s lead and all but securing the victory. After the match, Slot praised the performance, stating, "It was imperative to stay organized against Pep's (Guardiola) team, and our defense executed our plan exceptionally well. We understood our strengths and capitalized on them."
Manchester City, on the other hand, entered the match following another setback—having recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid, which knocked them out of the Champions League playoffs. Despite changing four starters from their previous game, City struggled to keep up with Liverpool's pace. The absence of injured star Erling Haaland was particularly felt, as City’s usually potent offense was limited.
City began the match aggressively, trying to assert their dominance as they had done against Newcastle, where they won 4-0 just prior. Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush were active during the opening stages, with several attempts on goal being stifled by Liverpool’s rigorous defense. An apparent goal by Marmoush was disqualified due to offside, which set the tone for City's frustrations throughout the match.
Despite establishing possession, City could not find the rhythm to capitalize as Liverpool effectively absorbed pressure. Liverpool's decisive counter-attacks ensured they maintained control throughout the match, with notable defensive contributions from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.
Both teams maintained their tactics through halftime without substitutions, but City began the second half roused for redemption. Yet the Liverpool backline held firm, continually thwarting City’s advances. A highlight of the second half was when Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai created space for Curtis Jones, but Jones' goal was ruled offside, showcasing Liverpool's efficient, yet safe play style.
Substitutions from Slot aimed to consolidate Liverpool's lead, introducing Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas to add fresh legs and defensive depth. The result seemed inevitable as City attempted to pressure Liverpool late on, yet they remained resolute, soaking up every attack.
Following the final whistle, Liverpool celebrated their victory, which marks their second success over City this season, having also won their previous encounter 2-0 at Anfield back in December. This incited discussions about their title hunt, with many believing they could secure their first league trophy since 2019.
Liverpool's next match will see them face Newcastle United at home on February 26, hoping to extend their lead even more with another three points, whereas City will aim to bounce back at Tottenham the same day. With Salah's form continuing unabated, fans are hopeful for another goal-laden performance as they march toward the end of the season.