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Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, sending Pep Guardiola’s struggling champions to their sixth defeat in seven matches.
Cody Gakpo’s early goal in the 12th minute and Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty sealed the comfortable victory, though the margin could have been much larger had Liverpool taken full advantage of their dominance.
The Reds controlled the game from the first whistle, playing with a renewed intensity and tactical discipline under new manager Arne Slot, who has transformed the team since taking over from Jürgen Klopp in the summer.
Gakpo’s Goal and Salah’s Ice-Cool Finish
Liverpool’s press was relentless from the opening moments, with Gakpo taking advantage of a mistake from City’s defense.
A brilliant pass from Salah found Gakpo in space, and the Dutchman finished calmly, taking his tally to six goals in his last seven matches.
The early strike set the tone, with Liverpool constantly probing for more, and City’s defense, already shaky this season, had no answers.
Salah was at the heart of everything for Liverpool. In the second half, after a challenge on Luis Díaz in the box, Salah made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Stefan Ortega the wrong way to double Liverpool’s advantage.
The Egyptian forward’s adds his tally of 13 goals and 11 assists this season.
While the final scoreline was 2-0, it was a game that could have been over well before the final whistle. Darwin Núñez could have made it three when he pounced on a loose ball in the City box, but his shot was blocked, and City escaped further punishment.
Guardiola’s City Struggles Continue
Pep Guardiola made a notable change ahead of the game, dropping his first-choice goalkeeper Éderson in favor of Stefan Ortega, hoping to spark a turnaround in form.
However, the change did little to solve City’s deeper problems. At the back, they were caught out time and again by Liverpool’s high pressing and pace.
Liverpool’s midfield was also in complete control, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister providing energy and grit, while Dominik Szoboszlai’s creativity linked the midfield to the attack.
The absence of key City players like Kevin De Bruyne, sidelined due to injury, was felt, but even with a full squad, Guardiola’s side appeared unable to cope with Liverpool’s intensity.
Erling Haaland, so often City’s savior, was completely anonymous. The Norwegian forward, who has been in a rare goal drought, touched the ball just 15 times during the match, and his only chance came from a poor header that was easily dealt with by Liverpool’s defense.
Haaland has now scored just two Premier League goals since the end of September, and if City are to recover their form, they will need far more from their star striker.
His lack of influence in the big games is becoming a growing concern for Guardiola, especially as City’s winless run stretches into a worrying slump.
With Liverpool now sitting firmly atop the Premier League, nine points clear of second-place Arsenal, and 11 ahead of fourth-place Manchester City, they are firmly in the title race.
The Reds will look to extend their lead in a midweek clash against Newcastle, but the most significant takeaway from this victory is how Slot has turned Liverpool into a well-oiled machine that knows how to press, how to defend, and how to capitalize on their opponents’ weaknesses.
As Liverpool bask in the glory of this vital win, Manchester City’s decline shows no sign of abating. Having now dropped out of the top four, Guardiola’s side will need to regroup quickly, with a crucial midweek clash against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.
For Liverpool, the title race is wide open, and with Slot’s vision now fully realized, it’s hard to see who can stop them. If this was a statement win, it was one that sent a resounding message to the rest of the league: the “Slot Machine” is in full gear, and Liverpool are back in business.
