Liverpool crashed to a fifth defeat of the Premier League season inside just 11 matches as Manchester City hammered the reigning champions at the Etihad. After missing an early penalty, Erling Haaland put the hosts in front on the half-hour mark before Virgil van Dijk had a goal harshly ruled out.
Nico Gonzalez's deflected drive on the cusp of half-time put the game beyond the Reds and man of the match Jeremy Doku later made it 3-0 with a sublime effort that curled into the top corner. The result all but ends any hope Liverpool had of defending their title. They are eight points behind leaders Arsenal despite beating the Gunners, who slipped to a draw at Sunderland on Saturday night, at Anfield in August. Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players...
Liverpool player ratings vs Man City
Giorgi Mamardashvili - 7
Was unlucky to give away a soft penalty but then made up for it with an excellent penalty save before denying Doku. Could do nothing about any of the goals.
Conor Bradley - 5
A tough assignment up against the tricky Doku but largely did well for the first 45 minutes. Less so second half but almost forced an own goal with a dangerous cross and then set up a great Cody Gakpo chance with another delivery moments later. Booked.
Ibrahima Konate - 3
Horrendous mistake led to the Man City penalty when he didn't need to intervene and then Haaland's header went in off him when he should have defended better. For the third goal, got nowhere near Doku. An awful evening for the Frenchman.
Virgil van Dijk - 5
Had a goal ruled out very harshly and then City's second went in off his heel when making no attempt to block the shot.
Andy Robertson - 5
Too slow to get across to Matheus Nunes and block his cross for the goal. Adjudged to be in the way of Donnarumma for the disallowed Van Dijk header in an incredibly harsh decision. Subbed on 56 minutes.
Ryan Gravenberch - 5
Not as authoritative as Liverpool needed him to be in the battle against Nico Gonzalez.
Alexis Mac Allister - 5
Not his best game on the ball and didn't close down Doku for the third goal. Booked.
Mohamed Salah - 5
Liverpool's most involved attacker and tried to impact the game in the second half but still ultimately a pale imitation of last season's Salah. Prodded wide late on when he should have scored and offside four times.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
Has been Liverpool's best player this season but wasn't operating to the same standards here. Forced a good save from Donnarumma late on with Liverpool's only shot on target. Booked.
Florian Wirtz - 5
Like Robertson, could have done more to stop Nunes' cross. Worked hard off the ball but had very few moments to do damage on it. Only just managed more touches than Mamardashvili.
Hugo Ekitike - 5
Hardly got involved and was below par when he did. Just 11 touches before being hooked in one of his poorest matches for Liverpool so far.
Substitutes
Milos Kerkez (Robertson 56) - 5
Couldn't change the match in Liverpool's favour.
Cody Gakpo (Ekitike 56) - 5
Put a great chance over the bar after coming on.
Curtis Jones (Mac Allister 74) - N/A
Game was already gone by the time he came on. Booked.
Joe Gomez (Bradley 83) - N/A
Federico Chiesa (Wirtz 83) - N/A