Liverpool vs Manchester City Report

Scorers: Gakpo 12’, Salah 78’ (P)

Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead with Dominant Display

Liverpool delivered a commanding performance to defeat defending Premier League champions Manchester City 2-0 at Anfield, opening up an 11-point gap over Pep Guardiola’s struggling side. The defeat leaves City without a win in seven matches across all competitions—the worst run in Guardiola’s managerial career.

A Tactical Gamble: City Start Ortega Over Ederson

In an attempt to halt their poor form, Guardiola made a bold decision by benching Ederson in favor of Stefan Ortega. The German goalkeeper was called into action early, as Liverpool bombarded City’s goal. Ortega denied Dominik Szoboszlai twice in quick succession, but the Hungarian soon turned provider. His cross found Virgil van Dijk, whose header struck the post, signaling Liverpool’s growing dominance.

Salah and Gakpo Combine for the Breakthrough

Anfield’s relentless energy culminated in a moment of brilliance from Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian maestro delivered a pinpoint ball across City’s goal, finding Cody Gakpo at the far post. The Dutchman made no mistake, bundling the ball home in front of the ecstatic Kop to put Liverpool ahead.

City’s Struggles Continue in the First Half

City’s insistence on playing out from the back proved costly, as they struggled to cope with Liverpool’s high press. Van Dijk and Gakpo both missed chances to extend the lead, while City’s attacking threat was non-existent. Their first shot of the game—a tame effort from Rico Lewis—didn’t arrive until the 39th minute, marking their longest wait for a shot in a Premier League match since April 2010.

Liverpool Dominate the Second Half

Although City looked slightly more dangerous after the restart, Liverpool continued to create the better chances. Gakpo saw a shot blocked, Van Dijk missed another header, and Salah squandered a one-on-one opportunity after intercepting a loose pass from Bernardo Silva. Despite their dominance, Liverpool were still searching for a second goal to seal the victory.

Salah’s Penalty Seals the Win

The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Rúben Dias was caught in possession, allowing Luis Díaz to burst through on goal. Ortega brought him down, and Salah stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. The goal was Salah’s 13th direct contribution in his last 11 starts against City, atoning for his recent miss against Real Madrid.

Reds Soar, City Slide

Liverpool’s triumph capped off an incredible record at Anfield this season, where they’ve now defeated the champions of England, Spain, and Germany. Jürgen Klopp’s side sit nine points clear of Arsenal at the Premier League summit, solidifying their title credentials.

In stark contrast, Manchester City find themselves outside the top four after losing four consecutive league games for the first time since August 2008. Guardiola’s men must regroup quickly if they are to salvage their season.

Key Stats and Takeaways

• Liverpool’s Lead: 11 points ahead of City and nine points clear at the Premier League summit.
• Salah’s Brilliance: A goal and assist, continuing his stellar record against City.
• City’s Struggles: No wins in seven games, their longest drought under Guardiola.

• Guardiola’s Risk Backfires: Dropping Ederson in favor of Ortega failed to yield results.

Liverpool’s performance was a masterclass in high pressing and clinical finishing, leaving City with more questions than answers. With momentum firmly on their side, the Reds look poised to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League crown.

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Liverpool v Man City, 2024/25 | Premier League