Mohamed Salah delivered another breathtaking performance as Liverpool triumphed over Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025. This win not only reinforced Liverpool's dominance at the top of the Premier League table but also highlighted Salah’s incredible form, with the Egyptian star contributing both goals and assists.
Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool just 14 minutes in, exhibiting his trademark skill as he converted from close range. The goal came after Dominik Szoboszlai flicked on a corner kick taken by Alexis Mac Allister, allowing Salah to pounce and dispatch the ball past City goalkeeper Ederson. It marked Salah’s 30th goal of the season and continued his scoring streak, now hitting the net for seven consecutive matches.
After his brilliant opener, Salah showcased his playmaking abilities by assisting Szoboszlai for the second goal, solidifying Liverpool's lead just before halftime. The two players exchanged roles seamlessly, capitalizing on Manchester City’s fragile defense. Szoboszlai's goal, coming just 20 minutes after Salah's, highlighted the excellent chemistry developing among Liverpool's attackers this season.
This match proved pivotal as it maintained Liverpool's substantial 11-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, who faltered against West Ham just days earlier. With this victory, Liverpool pushed their points total to 63 from 27 matches, positioning themselves strongly for their first Premier League title since 2020. The win was also particularly sweet for Liverpool fans, who have watched their team face struggles at the Etihad for almost a decade now—this was their first triumph there since 2016.
Salah's contributions this season have been remarkable, as he now boasts over 50 goal contributions (goals and assists combined) across all competitions, just seven shy of his career-best season tally of 58 G/A. His performance against City not only showcased his importance to Liverpool's title aspirations but also marked another significant milestone—tying legendary forward Gordon Hodgson on the all-time scorers' list for the club with 241 goals.
Reflecting on his phenomenal performance, Salah said, "The atmosphere was incredible, so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully, we just win the league and will see what will happen." His focus remains firmly on capturing the Premier League trophy, emphasizing the team’s ambition and his personal contributions to achieving success.
From the opening moments of the match, Salah's influence was undeniable. For City, it was evident they struggled to contain Liverpool’s attacking threat, as Salah, alongside Szoboszlai and their teammates, constantly pressured their defense. Salah's ability to dribble past defenders, exemplified when he left Nathan Ake bewildered before the first goal, added to his impressive display. The Egyptian forward combined his pace and technical skill to create dangerous opportunities, putting City on the back foot.
Manchester City's hopes of challenging Liverpool for the title appear remote, especially considering their inconsistent form this season. Under Pep Guardiola's management, City has seen their title reign challenged, with this loss placing them fourth with only 44 points—far behind Liverpool’s commanding position.
The buildup to this game saw both teams needing the three points for contrasting reasons: Liverpool aimed to maintain their lead, whereas City sought to revive their faltering campaign. Salah's show-stopping performance has been emblematic of Liverpool's resurgence under manager Arne Slot, who has steered the squad with commendable strategy and motivational prowess.
With the season nearing its conclusion, Liverpool fans are relishing the prospect of claiming multiple titles, including the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Carabao Cup, depending on their continued performance. Salah’s dazzling display against Manchester City has been central to Liverpool's ambitions, and the narrative surrounding his potential contract situation remains prevalent as well—his contract ends at the conclusion of this season.
Despite numerous speculations about his future, Salah remains focused on the current campaign. “Honestly, it's in my head. Until now, this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool, so I was just going to enjoy it,” he said, bringing an air of optimism about his tenure at Anfield. Liverpool fans will hope the magic of Salah continues to spark the team to greater heights as they battle for glory on multiple fronts.