Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a dominant 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The win came at a crucial moment, following Arsenal’s unexpected loss to West Ham, and it gave Liverpool a firm grip on the league title, quelling any doubts about their recent form.
In the build-up to the match, there had been speculation surrounding Liverpool’s performances, with some suggesting that their recent run of draws indicated a potential wobble. However, on the biggest stage, when it mattered most, Liverpool were composed and clinical, putting any concerns to bed with a comfortable win.
Manchester City, on the other hand, showed little resistance. With Erling Haaland sidelined through injury, City lacked the attacking spark they have been accustomed to, and their performance felt far from that of defending champions. Despite some bright moments early on, particularly from Jérémy Doku, they struggled to break down Liverpool’s defense. The visitors, buoyed by confidence and tactical astuteness, were rarely troubled.
The match was effectively decided by halftime. Mohamed Salah, who has been in sensational form all season, was the key figure in the victory. His brilliant first-half display saw him score the opening goal and provide the assist for Dominik Szoboszlai’s second. Salah has been a standout performer for Liverpool this season, with 30 goals and 21 assists from 38 appearances across all competitions, and his influence in this match was undeniable.
The first goal came from a well-executed corner routine. Alexis Mac Allister delivered the ball to Szoboszlai, who flicked it to Salah at the penalty spot. The Egyptian’s shot was deflected off Nathan Aké into the net. Salah’s intelligent positioning and clinical finish set the tone for the rest of the game.
Liverpool’s second goal was equally effective. Trent Alexander-Arnold played a perfectly weighted ball over the top to a running Szoboszlai, who appeared offside but continued his run as Salah squared the ball for him. Szoboszlai made no mistake, slotting the ball past Ederson to make it 2-0, a lead that City never looked like overcoming.
Throughout the match, Liverpool’s defense remained resolute. Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk were commanding at the back, and City’s attempts to break through were consistently thwarted. Though City had moments of possession and a few shots on goal, they failed to create anything meaningful. The absence of Haaland was felt, as there was no focal point in attack for City to build around.
Liverpool could have added a third after the break. Curtis Jones had a goal ruled out for offside, while Luis Díaz and Szoboszlai both went close. Alisson made a couple of crucial saves to keep City at bay, and in the end, Liverpool comfortably saw out the match.
For City, this defeat marked another disappointing setback after their heavy loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League. The reigning champions now face an uphill battle to even finish in the top four, as their recent form has been far from the standard that has defined their dominance over the past few years.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s performance was a statement of intent. They have shown resilience throughout the season, and this victory against one of their closest rivals is yet another example of their unrelenting pursuit of the title. With their 11-point lead and a game in hand, they look set to secure their second Premier League title in the next few weeks.
In the stands, Liverpool’s supporters were already dreaming of what’s to come. The chants of “We’re going to win the league” echoed around the Etihad as the final whistle blew, and there was little doubt left in anyone’s mind about the destination of the title this season.
