Liverpool delivered another statement performance in the Premier League title race, defeating Manchester City 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday to deepen Pep Guardiola’s growing troubles.
Softfootball understands that Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were on target as the Reds claimed a deserved victory to strengthen their position at the summit of the table.
Arne Slot’s men started brightly, piling pressure on the visitors from the opening whistle. Virgil van Dijk came close twice in the early stages, first rattling the post with a powerful header before directing another effort narrowly wide from a corner. Gakpo also threatened as Liverpool dominated possession and forced City onto the back foot.
Liverpool eventually made their dominance count, with Gakpo opening the scoring after another well-crafted attacking move to give the home side a deserved lead.
City’s hopes of rescuing the contest faded in the closing stages after a costly defensive error. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who started ahead of Ederson, raced off his line but brought down Luis Díaz inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Salah, who had missed a penalty against Real Madrid in midweek, showed no signs of nerves this time, confidently converting from 12 yards to double Liverpool’s advantage and put the game beyond City’s reach.
Kevin De Bruyne almost pulled one back late on, but Caoimhin Kelleher produced an outstanding double save to deny the Belgian and preserve Liverpool’s clean sheet.
The victory moves Liverpool 11 points clear of Manchester City, while also opening a nine-point gap over second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Chelsea as the Reds continue to tighten their grip on the Premier League title race.
