Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a resounding victory over Manchester City at Anfield, deepening the woes of the reigning champions. Arne Slot’s side, brimming with confidence after their midweek triumph over Real Madrid, overwhelmed City with a relentless attacking display that underscored their dominance.
The result leaves Liverpool 11 points clear of City, who are now winless in seven matches and have lost their last four league games—a startling decline for Pep Guardiola’s usually imperious side.
Relentless Liverpool Blitz City
From the first whistle, Liverpool set the tone with high-intensity pressing and incisive attacking play. Virgil van Dijk came close to opening the scoring when his header struck the post, while City’s stand-in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega—replacing the benched Ederson—was kept busy throughout.
Liverpool’s breakthrough came after 12 minutes, when Mohamed Salah delivered a pinpoint pass to Cody Gakpo, who calmly finished in front of the Kop. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Van Dijk narrowly missing another header and Liverpool creating a flurry of chances.
City briefly threatened to claw their way back, but Liverpool quashed any hopes of a comeback when substitute Darwin Núñez forced Ruben Dias into an error. Luis Díaz capitalized and won a penalty after being brought down by Ortega, allowing Salah to seal the victory from the spot—redeeming himself after a missed penalty against Real Madrid days earlier.
A New High Under Arne Slot
Liverpool’s transformation under Dutch manager Arne Slot has been remarkable. While their start to the season was solid rather than spectacular, recent performances have shown a team reaching new heights. The demolition of Real Madrid midweek was a statement win, but this display against City may well be their finest yet under Slot’s guidance.
Liverpool’s early victories this season were often met with skepticism, with critics reserving judgment until they faced tougher opponents. However, back-to-back wins against Real Madrid and Manchester City have silenced doubts, proving that Liverpool are a formidable force both domestically and in Europe.
The way Liverpool overwhelmed City was reminiscent of the high-octane style that defined Jürgen Klopp’s best teams. Slot, however, has added his own touch of tactical precision, creating a side that is both relentless in attack and resolute in defense.
Defensively, Liverpool were impenetrable, limiting City to just two shots on target. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher didn’t face a significant challenge until the 82nd minute, when he comfortably saved from Kevin De Bruyne.
Slot’s record now stands at an extraordinary 18 wins from 20 matches, with his only defeat coming against Nottingham Forest. The electric atmosphere at Anfield, amplified by jubilant fans at the final whistle, suggests that Liverpool could be on the brink of a truly special season.
Guardiola’s Anfield Struggles Continue
For Pep Guardiola, Anfield remains a bogey ground. The City manager has now won just once in 10 visits to the iconic stadium, with this latest defeat adding to a growing sense of frustration. Guardiola’s side looked uncharacteristically toothless, with Erling Haaland isolated and Ilkay Gündogan struggling to make an impact.
Guardiola, visibly irked by the taunts of Liverpool fans chanting “sacked in the morning,” raised six fingers to indicate his Premier League title haul. But the gesture seemed hollow on a night when City’s current form made a title defense look improbable.
Despite Guardiola’s managerial brilliance, the prospect of closing an 11-point gap to this Liverpool side appears daunting, especially given City’s faltering performances and lack of confidence.
A Defining Moment for Liverpool
Liverpool’s comprehensive win over Manchester City not only solidifies their position at the top of the Premier League but also sends a clear message to rivals: this is a team on the rise. Under Slot’s leadership, Liverpool have combined tactical intelligence with the kind of unrelenting intensity that made them a powerhouse under Klopp.
As the Anfield faithful roared in celebration, it felt like a pivotal moment in the season. If Liverpool can maintain this level of performance, they may well be destined for domestic and European glory.
