Liverpool solidified their position at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, marking the first time since 2015 they have won on this ground. With this impressive performance, Liverpool extended their lead over second-place Arsenal to eleven points, bolstering their hopes for the title.
The match began under high expectations, especially for City, who were seeking to bounce back after their disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid. The Citizens, now sitting fourth in the league with 44 points from 25 games, found themselves trailing significantly behind Liverpool, who amassed 61 points from one game more.
Manager Pep Guardiola’s side was without key player Erling Haaland, who was sidelined due to injury, leaving them to depend on Omar Marmoush to spearhead their attack. Despite starting the match well, City soon found it difficult to maintain momentum against Liverpool’s slick counter-attacks.
The opening goal came from Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who showcased his clinical finishing prowess. Following a well-executed corner taken by Alexis Mac Allister, Salah was perfectly positioned to finish with precision, netting the ball past the City goalkeeper Ederson only fifteen minutes after kickoff.
City seemed poised to level the score when Omar Marmoush scored following good play, but the goal was disallowed due to offside. This was indicative of City's struggles throughout the game, as they found it hard to break through Liverpool's solid defense commanded by Virgil van Dijk.
Just before the half-time whistle, Salah struck again, this time turning provider. He set up Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool's second goal, doubling their lead with Szoboszlai’s shot finding the net after Salah cleverly laid it off. With 25 league goals and 16 assists to his name this season, Salah’s exceptional form continued to shine, enhancing his prospects for the upcoming Ballon d’Or.
Throughout the second half, Liverpool maintained their structure, allowing City to hold possession but limiting them to few clear-cut chances. City’s attempts to break down Liverpool’s defense were met with resilience; Doku’s direct running posed problems for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but City’s finishing remained off-target.
A late rush from City saw them create opportunities, but Liverpool’s counterattacking tactics continued to threaten. Curtis Jones nearly tapped home Liverpool’s third goal, but was ruled offside by mere inches, so the score remained at 2-0. Ederson made several saves to keep City in the game, but the match quickly faded as hope dwindled for the home side, and the crowd began to disperse.
This significant victory emphasized Liverpool's dominance this season, marking the first win at the Etihad Stadium for the Reds in ten years. Coach Arne Slot expressed his delight post-match: “Winning at the Etihad is no small feat, especially against such quality opponents. Our execution of strategy and sharp finishing were key today.”
Guardiola, reflecting on the outcome, acknowledged the strain of injuries plaguing the squad and the challenges it has brought: “We have quality players, but if they are not fit, then we cannot display our best football. It’s been tough.”
With Liverpool's title hopes shining bright, the Gunners will have to regroup as they have games remaining to close the gap, marking it as pressure-packed weeks for both teams as they strategize for the upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, City must concentrate on their FA Cup campaign, as they sit precariously close to the European qualification places.
This match not only showcased Liverpool's attacking prowess but also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both clubs this season. With Salah's remarkable contributions and the strategic depth of Liverpool's squad, they remain favorites for the title as they move forward, full of confidence.
The next fixture for Liverpool sees them play at home against Newcastle United, where they aim to continue their title charge, whereas Manchester City faces Tottenham Hotspur on the road, hoping to regain some lost ground.