Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a decisive 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The win, orchestrated by standout performances from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, brings the Reds closer to their first league title since the 2019-2020 season.
The match’s opening goal came in the 14th minute through a well-executed set-piece. Alexis Mac Allister delivered a low corner to Szoboszlai, who deftly flicked the ball into Salah’s path.
The Egyptian forward’s shot deflected off Nathan Ake, leaving goalkeeper Ederson with no chance. This marked Salah’s 25th league goal of the season, underscoring his pivotal role in Liverpool’s campaign.
Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 37th minute. A precise long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold found Salah, who advanced down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the net, further dampening the spirits of the home crowd.
Manchester City, despite enjoying the majority of possession, struggled to penetrate Liverpool’s organized defense. The absence of their prolific striker, Erling Haaland, due to injury, was evident as City lacked a focal point in attack. Omar Marmoush did find the back of the net in the first half, but his effort was rightly ruled out for offside.
Jeremy Doku posed a consistent threat on the wing, frequently outmaneuvering Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, the Belgian winger’s endeavors did not translate into tangible opportunities for the hosts.
Liverpool’s center-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté remained resolute, effectively neutralizing City’s forward advances.
The second half saw Liverpool maintaining their defensive solidity while seeking opportunities on the counter-attack. Curtis Jones appeared to have extended the lead with a close-range finish, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review indicated Szoboszlai was marginally offside in the buildup.
Luis Diaz also came close, forcing Ederson into a noteworthy save with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
This victory not only solidifies Liverpool’s position at the summit of the Premier League but also highlights a significant shift in English football’s balance of power.
Under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, Liverpool have demonstrated consistency and resilience throughout the season. In contrast, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City find themselves 20 points adrift of the leaders, their hopes of a fifth consecutive title diminishing.
Salah’s performance in this match further cements his status among football’s elite. By scoring and assisting, he equaled Lionel Messi’s record of contributing to goals in 11 matches within a single season across Europe’s top five leagues—a feat Messi achieved during the 2014-2015 campaign with Barcelona.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will host Newcastle United at Anfield on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, Manchester City face a challenging trip to Tottenham Hotspur, seeking to regain form and secure their position within the Champions League qualification spots.
