In recent weeks, there has been talk about increasing anxiety at Liverpool and a dip in their performance levels, with many pointing to the number of draws as a potential sign of a wobble. Given that the club has only won one league title since 1990, a bit of nervousness is to be expected.
However, when Liverpool visited the Etihad Stadium, needing a win to take a firm grip on the Premier League title and capitalize on Arsenal’s surprising home loss to West Ham on Saturday, they delivered with confidence; the result was never in doubt.
For some context, Liverpool arrived at the Etihad on an unbeaten 22-match league run. They have lost only once in the competition this season and have remained unbeaten away from home. They aren’t really wobbling. Perhaps their rivals are simply grasping for something to hold on to.
There was nothing for Manchester City here, who played with a passivity that has unfortunately become too familiar during this difficult stretch. The title race feels all but decided, with Liverpool showing no signs of slowing down.
If one player represents their quality, it’s Mohamed Salah. The right-winger delivered another masterclass, scoring the opening goal and assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the second, with the game effectively over by halftime. Salah has an impressive 30 goals and 21 assists from 38 appearances across all competitions this season. Is there any doubt that the club must secure his future and avoid losing him as a free agent?
For City, the question was whether a championship-winning team still had the strength to make a comeback. They didn’t. After being thrashed by Real Madrid in the Champions League last Wednesday, this was another disappointing performance that felt predictable. Liverpool fans showed no nerves, instead singing confidently towards the end, “We’re going to win the league.”
There was no question about it—Arsenal’s loss to West Ham had removed much of the pressure from the situation. It was a rare opportunity for Arsenal to slip up, but Arne Slot remained focused solely on managing Liverpool’s side of things, dealing with what was in front of his team—without the threat of Erling Haaland, as a knee injury had sidelined City’s striker.
The tactical approach was clear. Pep Guardiola deployed Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush in central attacking roles, while Slot did the same with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. It became a battle of false 9s, with Marmoush perhaps being the truer version. The formations were 4-2-4 against 4-2-4, though neither system was straightforward, as Rico Lewis frequently moved up and inside from right-back for City.
The first goal was a tactical victory for Slot. City started strong, with Jérémy Doku impressing on the left-wing, but they were undone by a well-executed corner routine that seemed straight out of Liverpool’s playbook.
Alexis Mac Allister delivered a low corner to Szoboszlai, who sprinted toward the near post and flicked it back to Salah, who had found space near the penalty spot. Szoboszlai’s touch was subtle, and Salah’s first-time finish found the net with the help of a deflection off Nathan Aké. Liverpool had won the corner after pressing high and forcing a turnover from Lewis.
Salah was in highlight-reel form. There was a moment in the first half when he powered past Aké and only a solid block from Abdukodir Khusanov stopped him. Later, Salah sent a brilliant pass to the overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the City defenders backing off, wary of Salah’s next move.
City went through their usual patterns, trying to execute their strategies, and Marmoush found the net from a Foden pass, only to be flagged offside. Their play was predictable, and Liverpool remained comfortable, with Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk standing strong at the back.
Liverpool’s second goal was far too simple from City’s perspective. Szoboszlai appeared to be offside when Alexander-Arnold sent in a high ball from the right, causing Szoboszlai to momentarily stop, but Salah, who was onside, continued his run. He latched onto the pass and squared it for Szoboszlai, who then slotted a low shot past Ederson.
Before the match, City fans displayed a couple of pre-match tifos to make a statement. One read, “City won four in a row,” a nod to their recent success, even though they know a fifth consecutive league title is out of reach this season. Another said, “This means four,” reflecting their proud history. Meanwhile, Liverpool is focused on the present moment.
Slot was unruffled on the sideline; it was Guardiola in danger of overheating. The Liverpool players stuck to the plan. They knew it would work. They got runners in behind City’s high line after the break and only a tight offside decision from the VAR saw Jones denied a goal for 3-0. The lines came out to show that Szoboszlai had moved too early on to a Ryan Gravenberch pass before teeing up the tap-in. A little earlier, Khusanov had got back to tackle Luis Díaz while the Liverpool winger would also work Ederson.
For City, Marmoush drew a fine save out of Alisson but there was not much else. Liverpool might have scored again only for Khusanov to make a big block to thwart Szoboszlai. Who had played the pass? Salah, of course.
Slot was unruffled on the sideline; it was Guardiola in danger of overheating. The Liverpool players stuck to the plan. They knew it would work. They got runners in behind City’s high line after the break and only a tight offside decision from the VAR saw Jones denied a goal for 3-0. The lines came out to show that Szoboszlai had moved too early on to a Ryan Gravenberch pass before teeing up the tap-in. A little earlier, Khusanov had got back to tackle Luis Díaz while the Liverpool winger would also work Ederson.
For City, Marmoush drew a fine save out of Alisson but there was not much else. Liverpool might have scored again only for Khusanov to make a big block to thwart Szoboszlai. Who had played the pass? Salah, of course.
Slot was unruffled on the sideline; it was Guardiola in danger of overheating. The Liverpool players stuck to the plan. They knew it would work. They got runners in behind City’s high line after the break and only a tight offside decision from the VAR saw Jones denied a goal for 3-0. The lines came out to show that Szoboszlai had moved too early on to a Ryan Gravenberch pass before teeing up the tap-in. A little earlier, Khusanov had got back to tackle Luis Díaz while the Liverpool winger would also work Ederson.
For City, Marmoush drew a fine save out of Alisson but there was not much else. Liverpool might have scored again only for Khusanov to make a big block to thwart Szoboszlai. Who had played the pass? Salah, of course.
