Liverpool delivered a statement performance in their quest for the Premier League title, crushing Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The win extends Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to 11 points, though they’ve played one game more than their closest challengers.
Mohamed Salah was the undisputed star of the evening, showcasing his brilliance once again.
The Egyptian forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute with his 30th goal of the season, capitalizing on a brilliantly executed set-piece routine.
Alexis Mac Allister’s precise corner was flicked on by Dominik Szoboszlai, and Salah’s powerful strike deflected off Nathan Ake, leaving City goalkeeper Ederson with no chance.
Salah wasn’t done yet. Just before halftime, he turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass over the top of City’s high defensive line, allowing Szoboszlai to race through and slot the ball past Ederson with composure, giving Liverpool a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
Manchester City, still reeling from their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, looked a shadow of the dominant side that has ruled English football in recent years. Their lack of cutting edge was further amplified by the absence of injured striker Erling Haaland.
Despite controlling nearly 70% of possession, Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their attacks often breaking down in the final third.
City’s brightest moments came through Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, who frequently got the better of Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right flank.
However, his final delivery repeatedly let him down, failing to provide the quality service needed for City’s forwards. Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush also threatened at times, but Liverpool’s well-organized defense held firm.
Liverpool, by contrast, were clinical and efficient on the counter-attack. They nearly extended their lead in the second half when Curtis Jones thought he had added a third, only for his goal to be disallowed by VAR for offside.
Ederson was called into action multiple times, making a stunning save to deny Luis Diaz and relying on a last-ditch tackle from Abdukodir Khusanov to prevent Szoboszlai from grabbing his second.
Despite their dominance, Liverpool’s two-goal cushion was enough to secure a vital win — one that pushes them ever closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. With Arne Slot making a huge impact in his first season in charge, Liverpool now seem destined to dethrone City after their unprecedented four consecutive league titles.
Salah’s incredible season continues to fuel Liverpool’s title charge, with the forward now boasting 25 goals and 16 assists in just 27 Premier League appearances. As City struggle to keep pace, Liverpool’s march toward glory appears unstoppable.
City remain in fourth place despite this eighth league defeat of the season, and while they are still in contention for a Champions League spot, their hopes of retaining the Premier League crown are all but over.
With just a few months left in the campaign, Liverpool’s consistency and attacking brilliance make them the clear favorites — and their fans can start to dream of lifting the title once again.
