Manchester City came from behind to smack Liverpool 4-1 in a dominating performance at the Etihad Stadium. They did it in the absence of star striker Erling Haaland who was not fit for the clash due to a groin injury. The Norwegian celebrated his team’s emphatic showing on the pitch from the stands as City left no mercy for Liverpool who is now in great danger of falling into the abyss. With this victory, the Premier League holders reduce the gap with leaders Arsenal to five points again. It was another no-show on the travels for the Reds, now trailing by seven points from a Champions League place.
Liverpool did not expect the game to turn into a riot for them when Mohamed Salah gave them the lead almost against the run of play in the 17th minute. The situation was ideal for any side to panic without their goal machine in setup but City kept their cool and responded brilliantly through Julian Alvarez who filled into Haaland’s shoes for the game. The home side then unleashed the beast in them by taking the lead with Kevin De Bruyne netting from Riyad Mahrez’s cross. Ilkay Gundogan made it three soon after striking from close range after the World Cup-winning striker’s shot was blocked into his path. The scoring was rounded off by Jack Grealish, a reward for his utterly magnificent player of the match performance.
Best tally
With his assist for Julian Alvarez’s equalizer in the game and scoring at the last to top it all, Jack Grealish has contributed to 11 goals in all competitions for Manchester City. This is his best tally since joining the club in 2021 from Aston Villa. Before this game, he did not have a direct hand in any of City’s goals at home this season.
African magic
Another top individual performance came from Riyad Mahrez whose trickery from the right kept Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson on his toes causing all sorts of problems for the opposition. He laid the ball for De Bruyne to add City’s second on the day and in doing so became the player with the most number of assists for an African player in Premier League history overtaking Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in the process. He is also second on the list behind the Belgian in terms of assists with 55 to his name.
Century
Pep Guardiola has won his 100th Premier League game in charge of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in his 128th game.
He becomes the fastest manager to reach a century of victories at a single venue, overtaking Arsene Wenger (139 games at Highbury). pic.twitter.com/Tg8IsbV6e7
It was another milestone achieved for Pep Guardiola as he saw his 100th Premier League home win in his 128th game in charge of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. He is also the quickest to reach the figure surpassing Arsene Wenger who did it in 139 games at Highbury for Arsenal.
Just once
Manchester City have now lost only once of their last 13 Premier League meetings against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium which came in 2015, a 4-1 defeat under previous boss Manuel Pellegrini. This was also the first time they defeated Liverpool at home in the league since a 4-0 thrashing in 2020, a game after the Reds were crowned champions that year.
Four score
4 - Mohamed Salah is the first Liverpool player to score in four different games against an opponent in a single campaign since Ian Rush did so in five meetings with Everton in 1986-87. Foe. pic.twitter.com/eVOCVERJpn
Mohamed Salah dreamt off a better afternoon when he put the Reds in-front but he can at least another personal record. The Egyptian winger is now the first Liverpool player to score in four different games against the same opponent in a single campaign after his goal in the reverse Premier League fixture and strikes in Carabao Cup and the Community Shield at the start of the season. He has scored 11 goals against Manchester City with only Wayne Rooney with 12 and 15 from club legend Ian Rush having more than him. Salah has also scored the most away goals for Liverpool with 56 strikes.
First Time
This was the first time Liverpool lost taking a lead in the game in the Premier League since February 2021. The Reds carried an excellent 44 games unbeaten run before this trip to Etihad. It is also the first time since that period Jurgen Klopp’s men lost three consecutive games in all competitions after losing to Bournemouth and Real Madrid in the Champions League before this international break.
Unhappy Travels
With this defeat, Liverpool have lost eight Premier League games on the trip this season which is the most suffered during Jurgen Klopp’s reign at the club. They have also lost five Premier League games in 2023 more than the entire last campaign in which they suffered only four.
Milestone Milner
James Milner comes on to make his 609th appearance in the Premier League:
Gareth Barry - 653
Ryan Giggs - 632
Frank Lampard, James Milner - 609
The longevity. pic.twitter.com/lk907AXyLB
James Milner came on as a second-half substitute in the loss against his former club and instantly reached a landmark of featuring in 609 Premier League games. He drew level with Frank Lampard in the process and is only behind Ryan Giggs (632) and Gareth Barry (652) in the all-time list. However, Milner is the only active player with the most appearances in the league.
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