Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table, going five points clear with a game in hand after an outstanding second-half performance in their 4-1 win over Liverpool.
Goals from Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and an İlkay Gündoğan double secured the win at Anfield. Mo Salah’s equaliser did briefly give Liverpool some hope they might get something out of the match.
Liverpool now trail City by ten points and are left clinging onto a fourth-place spot by just a point with West Ham hot on their heels.
The reigning Premier League champions have now lost three straight games at home. This was their second loss on the trot having been defeated by relegation threatened Brighton in the week.
Despite the score line, the two sides challenged each other in an intense battle for the first 70 minutes, with opportunities for both sides.
Early on, Liverpool looked eager to change from their usual ways and find more ways to goal than their repetitive, and sometimes ineffective, crossing tactics.
That said, their best opportunities of the half came from a superb cross from Trent-Alexander Arnold, which Sadio Mane failed to guide into the net, skimming the bar.
Mane had another chance later in the half from a corner, but could not generate the power, allowing Ederson to calmly deal with it.
As for Manchester City, their best chance of the first 45 minutes came from a penalty, when Raheem Sterling took the ball into the area, before being brought down by Fabinho.
Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate in pointing to the spot, but fortunately for Liverpool, Gündoğan’s awkward spot kick saw the ball soaring into the stands.
Liverpool’s luck soon ran out however, and the German international made amends early on in the second half.
Sterling made another signature run, darting into the box, before laying the ball off to Phil Foden. Alisson Becker turned away the effort, but only as far as Gündoğan, who buried the ball in Liverpool’s net, firing City into the lead.
Liverpool’s Salah looked to keep the Reds in the game, when he drew a penalty after being pulled down by Ruben Dias, and nonchalantly finished.
It was Gündoğan’s turn again! He scored again just minutes later, when Foden received a poor clearance from Alisson, and beat Jordan Henderson before playing the ball across goal for another tap in from the former Dortmund midfielder.
Any hopes of a Liverpool comeback were wiped away thanks to another big mistake from Alisson Becker, when he passed directly to City’s Bernardo Silva, who set-up Raheem Sterling for an easy header.
The Sky Blues completed their 4-1 rout of the reigning champs with an 83rd minute strike from England youngster Phil Foden. He made yet another Sterling-esque move into the box before whipping a superb effort into the far corner.
Manchester City now sit comfortably at the top of the table with a five-point cushion, and the opportunity to extend their lead further, having played only 22 games compared to United’s 23.
While, Liverpool find themselves echoing Andrew Robertson’s doubts, as they look far from title contenders. Instead they seem set to contend only for a spot in the top four.
They are a point ahead of West Ham and are at risk of allowing Chelsea to close the gap if the Blues secure three points against Sheffield United.
Their upcoming fixtures are not going to be easy with games against third place Leicester City away and rivals Everton.
Similarly, Manchester City’s upcoming games are against Spurs, Everton and Arsenal which could prove a big challenge. Especially, considering all three are in a fight for a spot in the Champions league next season.
