Match Report: Man City 0-2 Liverpool
Goals by Salah (14′) and Szoboszlai (37′)
Liverpool delivered a stunning performance at the Etihad Stadium, claiming a decisive 2-0 victory over Manchester City. This impressive win propelled Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, highlighting the stark contrast in form between the two teams. With Erling Haaland sidelined due to a knee injury, City struggled to pose a significant threat throughout the match. Mohamed Salah initiated the scoring with a well-executed corner routine, expertly flicked on by Dominik Szoboszlai, before Salah returned the favor with a brilliant assist following a dazzling run down the right flank.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson: Had a quiet afternoon, failing to make a save in the first hour. He had little chance with either of Liverpool’s goals. 5/10
Rico Lewis: Successfully contained Diaz but struggled to make an impact going forward. 6/10
Abdukodir Khusanov: A commendable performance under pressure, though he might have closed down Szoboszlai quicker for the second goal. 7/10
Nathan Ake: His one-on-one abilities went largely untested, and he should have positioned himself better against Salah. 6/10
Josko Gvardiol: Had a shaky start, giving away possession early and failing to contain Salah effectively. 4/10
Nico Gonzalez: Controlled possession well but lacked the cutting edge to threaten Liverpool’s defense. 6/10
Savinho: Showed signs of improvement as the game progressed, though limited by a lack of support. 6/10
Kevin de Bruyne: Struggled to find his rhythm in a match of this caliber, with a crucial shot that nearly resulted in a throw-in. 5/10
Omar Marmoush: Scored a goal that was ruled offside early on and worked diligently to create City’s best attacking opportunities. 7/10
Jeremy Doku: Displayed pace and skill against Alexander-Arnold but often opted for conservative choices instead of taking risks. 7/10
Phil Foden: Tasked with filling Haaland’s shoes, he failed to make a significant impact, registering a couple of lackluster shots. 5/10
Substitutes:
- James McAtee: 6/10
- Ruben Dias: 6/10
- Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
- Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson: Performed admirably, making several routine saves and showcasing his status as one of the world’s best keepers. 6/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Endured a challenging afternoon defensively but delivered a superb ball to set up Liverpool’s second goal. 4/10
Ibrahima Konate: Exhibited strength and composure, effectively supported by Van Dijk throughout the match. 7/10
Virgil van Dijk: Commanding as ever, he solidified his reputation as a top defender and is likely to be a contender for individual awards. 8/10
Andy Robertson: Managed to limit the impact of City’s wingers effectively, although his attacking contributions were minimal. 7/10
Ryan Gravenberch: Failed to dominate the midfield as play frequently moved to the flanks, limiting his influence. 6/10
Alexis Mac Allister: Like his midfield partner, he worked diligently but did not have the opportunity to shine. 6/10
Mohamed Salah: Delivered a stellar performance with a goal and an assist, reaching 51 goal contributions in all competitions this season. 8/10
Dominik Szoboszlai: His flick-on for the opener was exquisite, and he followed up with a well-taken goal to double the lead. 8/10
Luis Diaz: Despite being relatively isolated, he tested Ederson with a fierce shot and contributed defensively. 6/10
Curtis Jones: Found it difficult to assert himself as a false nine but successfully created space for his teammates. 6/10
Substitutes:
- Kostas Tsimikas: 6/10
- Wataru Endo: 6/10
- Cody Gakpo: 6/10
- Jarell Quansah: N/A
- Harvey Elliott: N/A
