Liverpool strengthened its position at the top of the Premier League with a decisive 2-0 victory over Manchester City, increasing the gap to nine points above their closest rival. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah underscored the disparity between the two clubs, as City’s title defense continued to falter under the growing pressure.
The win at Anfield highlighted the mounting crisis for Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, whose team has now gone seven matches without a victory across all competitions, including six defeats. This slump has seen the four-time defending champions slip to fifth in the league standings, 11 points adrift of Liverpool.
“We weren’t perfect, but we came close to perfection and that’s the only way you can beat a quality team like City,” said Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, reflecting on his team’s commanding performance.
Liverpool’s dominance was evident as Virgil van Dijk nearly added another goal, hitting the post, and Salah narrowly missed a chance when through on goal. The Anfield crowd’s chants of Guardiola’s potential dismissal were met with a defiant gesture from the City manager, who held up six fingers to remind spectators of his six league titles in seven years—a testament to his previous success.
Football analysts and pundits have been weighing in on City’s unexpected downturn. According to BBC Sport, City’s recent form is its worst under Guardiola, sparking discussions about potential tactical adjustments and team morale. The Athletic’s football correspondent, David Ornstein, suggested that City’s over-reliance on key players and injuries have been instrumental in their current plight.
As Liverpool continues its commanding march towards the title, City’s future in the league remains uncertain. Guardiola faces increasing scrutiny to reverse his team’s fortunes and restore their status as Premier League frontrunners.
