Liverpool took a decisive step toward clinching the Premier League, overpowering a lackluster Manchester City in a key showdown on Sunday. With Mohamed Salah in scintillating form, Liverpool now sits 11 points clear at the top of the table, despite having played an extra game compared to City. The Egyptian forward, who netted his 30th goal of the season and set up Dominik Szoboszlai for a second goal before half-time, was the standout performer.
Just days after their exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, Manchester City suffered another severe setback as they now trail the leaders by 20 points. Throughout Pep Guardiola’s storied tenure, Liverpool have often come agonizingly close to undermining City’s dominance in one of English football’s most fiercely contested rivalries. Yet, under Arne Slot’s leadership in his debut season, it now appears that Liverpool’s time to challenge Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight titles may be within reach.
The pressure on City eased somewhat following Arsenal’s surprising 1-0 home loss to West Ham on Saturday—a result that provided relief for Liverpool after they had dropped points in two of their last three matches against Everton and Aston Villa. Traditionally, a visit to the Etihad has represented City’s toughest test, but their defensive weaknesses were glaringly apparent this time, compounded by the absence of the injured Erling Haaland.
Liverpool, on the other hand, boasted a fully fit and firing Salah, who has now tallied an impressive 25 goals and 16 assists in just 27 Premier League appearances this season. Salah ignited the scoring on 14 minutes with a set-piece play, following a corner from Alexis Mac Allister that was skillfully redirected by Szoboszlai, his shot deflecting off Nathan Ake past a diving Ederson.
Elsewhere on the pitch, City’s own Egyptian international demonstrated his finishing prowess, but his chance was negated when Omar Marmoush was caught offside after being set up by Phil Foden. Although City winger Jeremy Doku dazzled by evading Trent Alexander-Arnold, his efforts fell short as he failed to deliver a decisive cross or shot.
Not to be outdone, Salah swiftly capitalized on a long ball over the top to set up Szoboszlai, who once again outfoxed Ederson. Despite the potential for a more embarrassing outcome for City had Liverpool’s counter-attacks been even sharper, the match ended without a third goal for the visitors after VAR ruled Curtis Jones’ effort offside following a mistimed run by Szoboszlai.
Ederson managed a stunning save from Luis Diaz, and it took a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Abdukodir Khusanov to prevent Szoboszlai from scoring a second goal. Meanwhile, Marmoush, who had scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-0 win over Newcastle, continued to pose a threat with another effort past Alisson Becker, yet City’s possession—nearly 70% of the game—failed to translate into goals.
Despite this being Manchester City’s eighth league defeat of the season, Guardiola’s side remain in fourth place and are confident that a top-five finish will secure their spot in next season’s Champions League. However, following an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles, City now look like a team from the past, with Liverpool emerging as the new champions in waiting.
AFP
