Liverpool secured a crucial 2-0 victory over reigning champions Manchester City at Anfield, extending their lead to a massive 11 points at the top of the Premier League table.
Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah highlighted the Reds’ dominance, while City’s struggles continued, marking their sixth defeat in seven matches.
The game got off to a fast start, with Liverpool asserting control from the opening whistle.
Their relentless pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Salah’s precise pass across goal found Gakpo for a simple tap-in.
The Dutchman’s strike was a reward for Liverpool’s early dominance, as they repeatedly tested City’s defence.
City’s response was tepid, with their only notable first-half effort being a weak shot from Rico Lewis that rolled harmlessly wide.
Guardiola’s side looked uncharacteristically disjointed, with frustration evident in their three first-half yellow cards for Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden, and Manuel Akanji.
Anfield’s atmosphere, paired with Liverpool’s intensity, appeared to rattle the visitors.
Virgil van Dijk came close to doubling Liverpool’s lead shortly after Gakpo’s opener, hitting the post from a corner and narrowly missing with a powerful header minutes later.
While Liverpool’s tempo cooled as the half progressed, they remained firmly in control, forcing City to chase shadows in a one-sided first 45 minutes.
The second half offered a glimmer of hope for City, as they began to enjoy more possession.
However, their resurgence was short-lived; Salah missed a golden opportunity to extend Liverpool’s lead after intercepting a loose ball from Akanji.
Clean through on goal, the Egyptian uncharacteristically shot wide, echoing a similar miss in their midweek clash with Real Madrid.
Despite Salah’s earlier miss, Liverpool sealed the win in the dying moments when the Egyptian converted a penalty after a handball in the box.
His composed finish from the spot sent Anfield into raptures and ensured a vital three points for Arne Slot’s side.
The defeat marked another low point for Pep Guardiola, whose decision to start Stefan Ortega over Ederson drew scrutiny.
Although Ortega made a solid save early on, his overall impact was limited, and City’s defensive frailties persisted.
The champions now face an uphill battle, sitting 11 points adrift of Liverpool and struggling to find consistency in their performances.
Liverpool’s victory continued their exceptional form under new manager Arne Slot, whose high-intensity tactics have revitalized the Reds.
Persecondnews reports that the win not only reinforced their title credentials but also extended City’s Anfield woes, a stadium where they have often faltered.
As Liverpool celebrate their dominance, City must regroup and find solutions to their ongoing struggles.
With their hopes of defending the title slipping further away, Guardiola faces one of the toughest challenges of his managerial career.
For Slot and Liverpool, however, the dream of reclaiming Premier League glory grows ever closer.
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