Jeremy Doku has long been a source of entertainment and frustration for Manchester City fans. Against Liverpool, he was very much the former.
The Belgium international winger produced a dazzling performance in City's Premier League win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. He was so good, in fact, that ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville awarded him the Player of the Match award after only an hour of the game had been played.
Doku won the first-half penalty that Erling Haaland missed, setting the tone for an imperious display of dribbling that caused no end of problems for Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, who had shut down Vinicius Junior during the Reds' win over Real Madrid earlier in the week. Of course, his skill with the ball has rarely been questioned β it's the consistency of his end product that has often annoyed the City faithful. Judging by his finish for City's third goal, that's a problem he is ironing out in some style.
Here's a look at Doku's performance in arguably City's best game for more than a season, and almost certainly the player's finest in the blue shirt.
MORE: Highlights and analysis of Man City's commanding win over Liverpool
Jeremy Doku stats today
*All stats via Fotmob
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Chances created:
Shots: 3
Shots on target: 3
Touches: 51
Touches in opposition box: 11
Passes completed: 20/30
Dribbles completed: 7/8
Recoveries: 5
Duels won: 11/14
Free-kicks won: 4
Expected goals + expected assists: 0.20
2019 - JΓ©rΓ©my Doku today is the first player to score, win 10+ duels (11), complete 7+ dribbles (7), create 3+ chances (3) and have 3+ shots on target (3) in a single Premier League game since Eden Hazard for Chelsea v West Ham in April 2019. Outstanding. pic.twitter.com/VxUVsgZqHj
β OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2025
Doku was a livewire from the outset against Liverpool, his direct runs down the left giving the visitors a real problem. It was one of those dribbles that led to City winning a penalty in the first half, Doku being tripped by Mamardashvili after Ibrahima Konate contrived to give him the ball back when it seemed the danger was over.
Haaland's kick was saved by the Liverpool keeper, but in the end, it didn't matter. Haaland scored a (somewhat fortuitous) header after 29 minutes, and Nico Gonzalez's deflected shot effectively killed the contest just before halftime, shortly after Virgil van Dijk's headed equalised had been disallowed for offside.
π | Ruled the pitch
JΓ©rΓ©my Doku v Liverpool:
β±οΈ 74' played
π 51 touches
β½οΈ 1 goal
π― 3 shots/3 on target
π¦ 0.12 xG/0.58 xGOT
π 3 key passes
π¨ 7/8 successful dribbles
βοΈ 11/14 duels won
π 9.5 Sofascore Rating
Had Conor Bradley & co. on the strings throughout the match!β¦ pic.twitter.com/ZUkZYCg5f8
β Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) November 9, 2025
The goal of the game came, naturally, from Doku, who cut in on his right foot before bending a sensational shot beyond the reach of Mamardashvili just past the hour mark.
Watch in USA:
WHAT A STRIKE. Jeremy Doku and Man City are rolling versus Liverpool! π pic.twitter.com/gbAQXWlL12
β NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 9, 2025
UK:
Jeremy Doku with STUNNING strike! π« pic.twitter.com/MRzsqDw1Vt
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2025
Canada:
Jeremy Doku SCORES!!
β½ 3-0 Manchester City vs Liverpool FC
WATCH EVERY GOAL π https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/cLDSVmzIgY
β FuboCanada π¨π¦ (@fuboTVCanada) November 9, 2025
Australia:
It's SPECIAL from Jeremy Doku and Manchester City have THREE π²π©΅
It's a boilover at the Etihad π
β³ Premier League. Live & On Demand with 4K on Footballβs New Home, Stan Sport. Stream now.#StanSportAU #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/s618PLqJKE
β Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) November 9, 2025
What did Man City pay for Jeremy Doku?
Doku signed for City from Rennes in August 2023. The deal was worth a reported Β£55.5 million ($80m).