Manchester City vs Liverpool Report
Scorers: Salah 14’, Szoboszlai 37’
Liverpool took a giant step towards a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title with a commanding 2-0 victory over defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed a crucial win for Arne Slot’s men, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points.
Salah Strikes Early as Liverpool Take Control
With Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham already giving Liverpool a significant boost in the title race, the Reds arrived in Manchester knowing that victory would put them in complete control.
Despite winning at the Etihad just once in their last 15 visits, they capitalised on a sluggish City start and broke the deadlock inside 15 minutes.
Alexis Mac Allister’s near-post corner was flicked on by Szoboszlai, and Salah was perfectly positioned to sweep the ball home, with Nathan Aké’s deflection leaving Ederson with no chance.
The goal sent the away supporters into raptures, while City—so often dominant at home—were left stunned.
Szoboszlai Doubles Liverpool’s Lead
City attempted to respond, and they thought they had equalised when Omar Marmoush finished off a slick move, only for the offside flag to cut short their celebrations. That disallowed goal proved costly, as Liverpool soon punished City’s defensive vulnerability on the counter.
Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased his pinpoint passing ability with a lofted ball over the top to Salah, who surged down the right flank before laying it back for Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian kept his composure to slot a low finish past Ederson, doubling Liverpool’s lead and giving the visitors complete control heading into half-time.
City Fail to Mount a Comeback
Pep Guardiola’s side has been known for dramatic second-half comebacks, having overturned 2-0 deficits to win 4-2 on two occasions in recent seasons.
However, there were few signs of such a resurgence here. Liverpool continued to frustrate City, and the home side struggled to break through a well-organised defence.
The visitors even thought they had a third goal when Curtis Jones tapped in, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build up. Moments later, Luis Díaz almost added his name to the scoresheet with a curling effort that forced Ederson into a full-stretch save.
As frustration grew for City, passes went astray, touches became sloppy, and the home crowd fell silent, leaving only the travelling Liverpool fans in full voice as their side comfortably saw out the victory.
What This Means for the Title Race
- Liverpool: With an 11-point lead at the summit, the Reds now have one hand on the Premier League trophy. They also remain in contention for a remarkable treble, with a League Cup final against Newcastle United and a UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.
- Manchester City: Guardiola’s men now find themselves effectively out of the title race, with their best hope being a top-four finish and a deep run in the FA Cup. This marks just the third time Liverpool have completed a league double over City, reinforcing their dominance this season.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool delivered a masterclass in counter-attacking football and defensive solidity, punishing a City side that lacked its usual sharpness.
With Salah and Szoboszlai stepping up in the big moments, Arne Slot’s men now look destined to end their wait for a 20th league title. For Guardiola, this defeat signals the end of City’s title defence, with the focus now shifting to securing Champions League football for next season.
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Man City v Liverpool, 2024/25 | Premier League