Arne Slot salutes Liverpool fans after beating Manchester City
Arne Slot and Liverpool have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League after beating Manchester City
The noise was overwhelming at the final whistle.
Liverpool’s jubilant fans stood to salute their heroes after a remarkable, thumping and defining victory. They had surely witnessed the coronation of the new champions.
Arne Slot’s men are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table and, perhaps even more significantly, they are 11 ahead of Manchester City. There can be no way back from here for City. And it would take an almighty collapse - and a three game swing - on Liverpool’s part to blow it from here.
Liverpool not only humiliated City, they also proved they are streets ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. They are Europe’s in-form team and City were just swallowed up at Anfield.
Liverpool pile misery on Pep Guardiola in rampant win over Man City - 6 talking points
[
Jamie Carragher delivers scathing verdict on Man City star who has become 'a liability'](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jamie-carragher-man-city-liverpool-34226123)
City looked shell-shocked by it all, completely overwhelmed and overrun on what was a seismic day in the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s crown is slipping as it is the first time the City boss has lost four consecutive league matches in his managerial career. City have lost their sense of invincibility while Liverpool look as if they are growing in confidence, belief and strength with every victory.
The only wonder was how Liverpool did not win more comfortably. The first half was so one-sided it was actually embarrassing. City did not lay a glove on their opponents.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo scored the all-important goals for Liverpool
(
Image:
John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool were too quick, they were were dynamic and sensational. There were so many poor individual performances from City as their own confidence looks shot to bits.
Maybe even Guardiola is losing his magic because the notion that he could play Rico Lewis and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield is just baffling. Lewis looks pint-sized at 5ft 7in while City have made a horrible mistake in re-signing Gundogan who looks a shadow of his former self.
City have won just twice in 28 visits to Anfield in the Premier League but they have never surrendered like this before. Not even in the days before Abu Dhabi.
In contrast, Slot has done a remarkable job at Liverpool. The Dutchman has taken a strong team from Jurgen Klopp and made them even better. They are stronger at the back and arguably even more fearsome in attack.
Pep Guardiola's side are now 11 points behind Liverpool at the Premier League summit
(
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
They even had three big chances before they took a 12th minute lead. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai went close and then Virgil van Dijk crashed a header against the post from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.
It was coming, though. Trent Alexander-Arnold launched the move leading to Liverpool’s 12th minute opener. His magnificent, raking diagonal pass released Mo Salah down the right. Salah was given way too much space to put in a superb low, teasing cross and Cody Gakpo was given the freedom of the six yard box to tap in from close range.
Liverpool were so dominant that you actually thought it might get embarrassing. City could barely put a pass together. Van Dijk could have got another and the visitors offered nothing at the other end. City got marginally better in the second half. But not much. We are witnessing the downfall of arguably the greatest team of the Premier League era in front of our eyes.
Salah, Gakpo and van Dijk went close again. Then they got their second after 77 minutes. Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker got in a terrible mix and then Luis Diaz escaped and was brought down by City keeper Stefan Ortega. Salah slammed home the penalty.
That made it game-over. Only then did Guardiola bring on Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish. It was too late. Another baffling decision. The game was up. Rather like City’s season. While a new era of success is unfolding under Slot.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package £46 (was £56)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky
Get the deal here