By Razeen Gutta
In a game that usually decides the league winners, it was clear that only one team is in the running this season as Manchester City left Liverpool feeling blue with a 4-1 thrashing on Saturday.
The Cityzens looked calm, controlled and very composed from the onset — dominating possession and waiting for the right moment.
The moment came for the visitors though, with Mohamed Salah striking against the run of play to put the Reds in front inside 17 minutes.
The Egyptian recorded his fourth goal in as many games over the champions this season; and while the Etihad faithful were shocked, their heroes remained relaxed, knowing their time would come.
And so it did. Despite an injured Erling Haaland watching from the stands, Pep Guardiola’s side would not lack their goal-scoring mojo. It was Argentine starlet Julian Alvarez who levelled matters after Jack Grealish played him in.
Early in the second half, Riyad Mahrez combined with Kevin de Bruyne to give City the lead before Ilkay Gundogan made it three before the hour mark.
Liverpool looked like a shadow of the side that beat Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield last month, and Grealish would capitalise on that to make it four.
The England international put in a man of the match performance for the hosts, while their opponents failed to register an attempt on goal after scoring early on.
It will not get any easier for Jurgen Klopp’s men either, with a trip to Chelsea preceding a home clash with leaders Arsenal a week from Sunday.
For City, the gap at the top of the table has been reduced to five points, with a visit to bottom-placed Southampton next on the agenda.
Pictured above: Jack Grealish
Image source: @livescore
