Manchester City 3 (Erling Haaland 65′, Jeremy Doku 68′, Rayan Cherki 78′)
Liverpool 0
Manchester City have picked up a huge 3-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield today. Today’s match was an even affair up until Ryan Gravenberch rightfully picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Jeremy Doku in the 62nd minute. From that moment onwards, Enzo Maresca’s side put Liverpool to the sword. Goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki saw City make it six wins from six in the Premier League and also win their eighth consecutive match in all competitions.
Today belonged to Manchester City who put all of the outside noise aside to claim a huge three points.
When the starting lineups were announced Enzo Maresca had one change to the starting lineup that beat Sunderland. Nico O’Reilly replaced Josko Gvardiol at left-back. O’Reilly’s availability for the match was great news for Manchester City. His participation in today’s match had been doubt due to the injury he sustained on international duty with England.
First half.
Today’s Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Liverpool kicked off in sunshine on Merseyside. The atmosphere wasn’t as fierce as expected as the game kicked off as finally football took centre stage.
In the opening five minutes, Liverpool were the dominant side and enjoyed the majority of possession. Enzo Maresca’s side were struggling to get on the ball as Andoni Iraola’s side were well up for the occasion to begin the match.
It took 11 minutes for the first fracas to break out between the two teams. Ruben Dias committed a foul on Lewis Koumas on the halfway line and Elliot Anderson delayed Liverpool from taking the free kick quickly. The two teams came together, however, the fire was quickly put out by the referee after he spoke to Ruben Dias and Virgil van Dijk. The game lacked any flow, however, Liverpool were the better team as the match approached the 15-minute mark.
Antoine Semenyo creates City’s first opening of the match but it comes to nothing.
Manchester City created their first opening of the match in the 14th minute. Erling Haaland picked up possession in midfield and he played the ball out wide to Antoine Semenyo on the left. Semenyo drove at Liverpool right-back Ronald Araújo and played a delightful cross across the Liverpool six-yard box from the byline. However, none of his teammates made a run to the back post and the chance came to nothing.
After Liverpool made a strong start in the game’s opening 15 minutes, Manchester City did begin to get a foothold in the game as it approached the half-hour mark. Although City’s play didn’t create any real openings, Enzo Maresca’s side were growing into the game. Also, Victor Muñoz on the right wing did look to be Liverpool’s attacking outlet when they did win back possession.
It was Victor Muñoz who had the first real shot on target in the 33rd minute. Muñoz cut inside from the right wing and hit a low drive with his left foot from 25 yards. Gianluigi Donnarumma collected Muñoz’s shot with ease to his right.
Enzo Fernandez had Manchester City’s first shot of the match in the 35th minute. Manchester City attacked and a ball was played to Rayan Cherki on the edge of the penalty area. Cherki laid the ball back to Enzo Fernandez who curled an effort on target from 20 yards out, which Allison got down well to save to his left.
Following Enzo Fernandez’s shot, the final 10 minutes of the first half played out without incident. Despite a lively opening to the match, it did settle down to become a tense affair that was locked at nil-all at the interval.
Observations from Manchester City’s first half display.
Manchester City rode out Liverpool’s fast start to the match slowly begin to control the match with their possession play. However, Liverpool were always a threat on the break and City’s play lacked any real cutting edge or intensity in the final third.
For me, Elliot Anderson was Manchester City’s standout player of the first half. He worked his way into the game well and began to boss proceedings in midfield as the half wore on. Enzo Maresca would be expecting more intensity and quality from his team in the final third. However, City had ridden out the atmosphere and worked their way into the match by the halfway mark. Liverpool did look to have a threat on the break with the driving runs from midfield from Ryan Gravenberch and the pace of Victor Muñoz on the right looking to be their major attacking outlets.
Second half.
Gianluigi Donnarumma would be forced to make a strong save three minutes after the interval. Manchester City won a free kick in midfield and somehow Matheus Nunes gave away possession in midfield. Liverpool broke with pace and a chance was created for Lewis Koumas. Koumas got a shot on target from inside the penalty, which Donnarumma saved extremely well. Ryan Gravenberch then had a shot from distance 30 seconds later, which Donnarumma saved strongly once again. Alexis MacAllister would then curl an effort from range wide as Liverpool made a fast start to the second half.
Antoine Semenyo once again played a great ball from the left in the 50th minute that somehow wasn’t tapped in at the back post. Iliman Ndiaye was on hand for a tap-in but the fantastic chance came to nothing as the second half began at breakneck speed.
Jeremy Doku came on in the 56th minute as the Belgian winger replaced Iliman Ndiaye. Enzo Maresca wanted more pace and threat to his team’s attacking play and Doku’s introduction would help in this regard.
Erling Haaland puts a great chance wide to give City the lead.
Manchester City created a great opening on the hour-mark. Rayan Cherki played a quality through ball to Antoine Semenyo on the right. Semenyo controlled Cherki’s pass superbly and slipped in Erling Haaland. Haaland got a right-footed shot on goal which beat the oncoming Alisson and went wide of the far post.
In the 62nd minute, Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow card for a foul on Jeremy Doku. Doku beat the Dutch midfielder, who put in a clumsy challenge from behind on Doku. Gravenberch received a second yellow card and was sent off as the game seemingly swung in Manchester City’s favour.
Manchester City take the lead as Erling Haaland strikes!!!!!
Manchester City took the lead in the 65th minute. Jeremy Doku cut inside from the left and attempted to curl a shot on target from just inside the penalty area. Doku’s shot was blocked by Alexis MacAllister and the rebound flew across goal. Erling Haaland reacted quickest and he gave City the lead with a cracking volley from 10 yards out. It was a fantastic reward for Enzo Maresca’s side who took full advantage of Ryan Gravenberch’s red card.
Jeremy Doku doubles Manchester City’s lead with a stunner!!!!
Enzo Maresca’s side would take a 2-0 lead three minutes after Haaland’s goal. Jeremy Doku received possession on the left wing and drove at the backpeddling Ronald Araújo. Doku cut inside again and curled a superb effort inside the far post from just inside the Liverpool area. City had seized the momentum of the game and all of a sudden the Anfield atmosphere had fallen flat.
With 15 minutes to go, Enzo Maresca’s side were in full control of proceedings. Gravenberch’s red card and Manchester City’s double strike had well and truly taken the sting out of the match. Andoni Iraola’s side were being pushed back and Jeremy Doku was tormenting Liverpool out on the left wing.
Rayan Cherki makes it 3-0 to cap off a quality City move.
Manchester City took a 3-0 lead in the 78th minute. Jeremy Doku had the ball on the left wing for what seemed like an eternity. Doku pointed at Elliot Anderson, where he wanted the England international to receive possession. Doku played the ball to Anderson on the edge of the Liverpool box, and Anderson played a ball to Cherki. Cherki let the ball run to Josko Gvardiol inside the penalty area. Gvardiol then found Cherki with a sublime back heel as the French international made a run towards goal. Cherki received possession and waited for Alisson to commit before beating the Liverpool keeper with a sublime and composed finish. The game was won and Enzo Maresca’s side had ruthlessly picked apart Liverpool.
Following Rayan Cherki’s goal the rest of the game played out without incident. The Liverpool fans called City cheats a few times, but frankly, the game was won and Enzo Maresca’s side had put the outside noise aside to leave Anfield with a massive three points.
Thoughts from Manchester City’s 3-0 win at Anfield.
The eyes of the football world were on Anfield today. Today’s match was competitive up until Ryan Gravenberch picked up his second yellow card. Fron that point onwards, Manchester City blew Liverpool away and claimed a famous victory. Enzo Maresca’s side blocked out the outside noise and did their talking on the pitch. Goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki settled the affair as City’s travelling support thoroughly enjoyed their team’s win.
Some wins mean more and that one does for Manchester City. The outside noise was cast aside as Enzo Maresca’s side laid down a marker and signalled their intentions for this season.
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