MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool in the rain at the Etihad Stadium during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike's expression says it all during Liverpool's miserable 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the rainy Etihad Stadium
Liverpool slumped to a fifth Premier League defeat in six games with a miserable reverse at title contenders Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Erling Haaland and a deflected Nico Gonzalez strike put the home side in control before the break with Jeremy Doku notching in the second half to seal a 3-0 success for Pep Guardiola's men.
The result means Arne Slot's side now stand down in eighth place, their lowest position under the Dutchman since his arrival in the summer of 2024.
The ECHO was in attendance at the Etihad and here we run the rule over the performance of the players.
Giorgi Mamardashvili 7
Bit unlucky to concede penalty but saved Haaland spot kick and good stop from Doku while no chance with any of the goals.
Conor Bradley 5
Evidently asked to press high, giving him plenty to do and up against Doku he more than held his own first half before major struggle after that. Booked and subbed.
Ibrahima Konate 4
Somewhat all over the place first half, at fault for the penalty and should have done lot better defending opener. Slightly better after break but damage done.
Virgil van Dijk 6
Looked to defend aggressively but couldn’t do much about deflecting in the second and harshly had equaliser chalked off.
Andy Robertson 5
Didn’t close down Nunes for cross for the opener and adjudged offside for what would have been the leveller. Subbed.
Ryan Gravenberch 5
Conceded a couple of free-kicks early on and appeared a little dishevelled after that and rarely a major influence.
Alexis Mac Allister 5
Took an age to settle but too often didn’t use the ball wisely and largely way off his best. Booked.
Mohamed Salah 5
No faulting his effort, forced some corners and certainly had O’Reilly spooked until finding second half far more frustrating and offside a lot, as well as missing good chance.
Mohamed Salah wastes a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit for Liverpool at Manchester City (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai 6
Floated a couple of diagonals but otherwise hounded out early on. Stepped up second half and the one Liverpool player to show real fight. Booked.
Florian Wirtz 5
Plenty of work first half when his ability to dribble helped take Liverpool upfield but became increasingly discouraged the longer the game progressed. Subbed.
Hugo Ekitike 4
Given scant service throughout his stint but too often chose wrong decision when rare moments in possession. Subbed.
SUBS
Milos Kerkez (for Robertson 56) 5
Gave ball away with first touch and not much improvement after that.
Cody Gakpo (for Ekitike 56) 5
Missed good chance with almost his first involvement.
Curtis Jones (for Mac Allister 74) 6
At least showed willingness to put his foot on the ball and look to make a sensible pass. Booked.
Joe Gomez (for Bradley 83)
Surely now pressing for a start.
Federico Chiesa (for Wirtz 83)
Minutes.
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