Manchester City crushed rivals Liverpool 3-0 in a high-stakes Premier League clash on Sunday, with Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku scoring to seal a win that could prove pivotal in the title race.
The game was City boss Pep Guardiola's 1,000th as a manager and his team marked the milestone with a statement victory that saw them climb to second in the table on 22 points after 11 games, four adrift of leaders Arsenal. Holders Liverpool tumbled to eighth on 18 points.
City were sharp from the outset and Haaland rose high over Ibrahima Konate to head home Matheus Nunes' whipped cross in the 29th minute for his 99th league goal for the club. The goal made amends for the Norwegian missing a penalty early in the game, and Haaland karate-kicked the corner flag in celebration.
Gonzalez doubled their lead seconds before halftime when his strike from distance took a deflection off Virgil van Dijk's leg to leave goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili wrongfooted. Doku put the game out of reach when he whipped a blistering shot from just outside the box into the far corner in the 63rd minute.
Man City vs Liverpool latest
- GOAL! Haaland makes amends with towering header
Full-time!
18:28 , Alex Young94min: That was very, very easy for Manchester City, even after Haaland missed an early penalty.
Big, big questions for Liverpool.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:25 , Alex Young88min: Jones booked.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:18 , Alex Young83min: Wirtz and Bradley are replaced by Chiesa and Gomez.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:18 , Alex Young82min: O’Reilly fires over from close range after being found by Foden.
Bradley was ball-watching.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:15 , Alex Young80min: “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, chant the Man City fans at Arne Slot.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:15 , Alex Young79min: A great chance for Salah, running through on goal, but his dinked effort bounces wide of the far post.
That would have gone in last season.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:11 , Alex Young77min: A shot on target from Liverpool! Szoboszlai forcing a super stop from Donnarumma.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:09 , Alex Young74min: Doku is replaced to a standing ovation. Marmoush is on.
For Liverpool, Jones replaces Mac Allister.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:05 , Alex Young70min: Still no shot on target from Liverpool.
Man City 3-0 Liverpool
18:04 , Alex Young67min: City passing the ball around with ease.
GOALLLLLLLLLL!
17:58 , Alex Young63min: Doku deserves that, and what a strike!
City’s best player on the day with a beauty from 20 yards, curled inside the far post.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:54 , Alex Young59min: Oh, Gakpo has to bury that!
Bradley with a brilliant pass to the back post which Gakpo runs onto but blazes over.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:53 , Alex Young58min: Nico almost shanks a clearance into Donnarumma’s net, but sees the ball spin over the bar for a corner instead. Big sigh of relief.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:51 , Alex Young56min: Kerkez and Gakpo are on, Robertson and Ekitike are off.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:48 , Alex Young53min: That was Cherki’s final act. Savinho is on.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:47 , Alex Young52min: A fantastic run from Doku fully 60 yards while holding off Bradley, to send Cherki into the area for a shot, which is blocked.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:46 , Alex Young50min: Donnarumma off his line quickly to snuff out an onrushing Salah.
Liverpool have improved.
Man City 2-0 Liverpool
17:43 , Alex Young47min: No changes for either team, which is perhaps a surprise for Liverpool.
Slot had told his players to go out there and get back in the game.
Second half!
17:39 , Alex Young46min: Back underway!
Liverpool need a rocket up their rear end in this half.
Half-time
17:23 , Alex Young53min: City are cruising. Liverpool look half-dead.
GOAL!
17:21 , Alex Young47min: A long way back for Liverpool now!
Nico Gonzalez with a deflected strike from the edge of the area after yet more sustained pressure from City.
Van Dijk made no attempt to block the shot. Bizarre.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:18 , Alex Young45min: Seven minutes added on.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:16 , Alex Young42min: Corner to City, which Haaland tries to flick on towards goal but it’s straight into the keeper’s hands.
NO GOAL!
17:11 , Alex Young38min: Out of nothing, Van Dijk levels it up with a thumping head of his own from Salah’s corner!
But he hasn’t! Robertson is standing in an offside position and is obstructing Donnarumma’s view.
VAR have a look and rule out the goal. That seems very harsh!
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:07 , Alex Young34min: Konate does not look like he’s enjoying himself out there. Body language is not great, and I don’t blame him. He’s had a tough first half.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:04 , Alex Young32min: Liverpool actually need to come out and start attacking now.
Man City 1-0 Liverpool
17:02 , Alex Young30min: Replays suggest it flicks off the back of Konate’s head, perhaps. Erling won’t care.
GOAL!
17:01 , Alex Young29min: Haaland makes amends with a towering header!
Patient from City in the build-up before Nunes put it on a plate for Haaland to power home.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:59 , Alex Young26min: Fantastic from Doku again, who has Bradley on toast again and again, this time turning him and Gravenberch inside out before firing into the side netting.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:55 , Alex Young23min: He’s fine and is eventually allowed back on the pitch.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:53 , Alex Young21min: A problem for O’Reilly, who is down and needs medical attention.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:50 , Alex Young18min: Liverpool have just not got going yet, and Konate is being targeted.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:48 , Alex Young14min: Doku is causing Liverpool all sorts of problems and almost gets through again into the area before Van Dijk is fouled.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:47 , Alex Young12min: Haaland cutting a very frustrated figure.
PENALTY SAVED!
16:44 , Alex Young11min: Mamardashvili denies Haaland!
PENALTY TO MAN CITY!
16:43 , Alex Young10min: Doku fouled by Mamardashvili.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:40 , Alex Young8min: First shot on goal comes from Salah, but it’s a weak effort and perhaps not even on target, being under pressure from the defender.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:39 , Alex Young7min: Fantastic pass from Doku to find Foden, but the latter lets himself down with a poor touch when bearing down on goal.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:37 , Alex Young5min: Another foul by Gravenberch halts a City attack.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:35 , Alex Young4min: A tame start to proceedings, it’s fair to say.
Gravenberch fouls O’Reilly.
Man City 0-0 Liverpool
16:34 , Alex Young2min: City with the early possession, Liverpool pressing.
Kick-off!
16:31 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Not long to go now. Here come the teams.
Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports
16:13 , Alex Young"There are a lot of games to play, the league is so long. The challenge is beautiful and we are looking forward to it.
"I will focus on the game and then I will either celebrate [my 1000th game] or go home to sleep."
Arne Slot to Sky Sports
16:10 , Alex Young“At the moment, it's not about looking at the league table, it's just trying to win as many games as you can and give yourself the best position you can. But definitely two very good teams are going to play against each other and what the future will bring, we will see.
"Our only focus is ourselves. We have to get consistent improvement, get players fit and then see where it leads to. City is a game on its own. Playing away from home against them is one of the most difficult challenges we have throughout the season. These are the games everyone looks forward to."
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is at the game today, being shown around by Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Liverpool are looking for back-to-back wins at the Etihad, but last season’s success was only their second in the last 10 years.
Slot swept City ahead last season, surely Pep has a plan today.
Rodri absent again
15:40 , Alex YoungRodri is again absent from the Manchester City squad.
He was not in the squad for the midweek Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund and, speaking ahead of the Liverpool game, Guardiola said: “We'll see but I think we won't take a risk.”
“Rodri can play one game a week, but the problem is we play every three days and then there is the national team. It was a long injury. History says the year after, you have problems.
“We tried to avoid it, but the stats say that. One game a week you recover fine, but me as a manager, [when] the doctors say he is ready, he is going to play. We have to be careful from now on.”
A peek inside the Liverpool dressing room.
So Pep Guardiola has made three changes to his Manchester City starting line-up, with Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki coming in for John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho.
Liverpool go with the same XI that started Tuesday’s win over Real Madrid.
Alexander Isak returns to the squad and is named on the bench.
Team news: Isak on bench for Liverpool
15:18 , Giuseppe MuroManchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo, Foden, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Bobb, Lewis
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Bradley, Ekitike, Robertson, Gravenberch
Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Isak, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Ngumoha
Team news on the way from the Etihad...
Haaland targets new record
15:08 , Giuseppe MuroErling Haaland says he feels he is in the best shape he has ever been after making a stunning start to the season.
The prolific Manchester City and Norway striker has plundered 27 goals in just 17 appearances for club and country this season.
Haaland has now scored 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances.
If he scores twice today he will become the fastest player to 100 goals in Premier League history.
Alan Shearer the current quickest to 100 in 124 games.
Szoboszlai: Liverpool still in title race
14:55 , Giuseppe MuroDominik Szoboszlai does not believe Liverpool’s title defence has been scuppered by a run of poor results and leaders Arsenal remain firmly in their sights.
Four successive Premier League defeats were ended by victory over Aston Villa but they remain eight points behind the Gunners.
Arne Slot's side have already lost as many league matches as they did in the entirety of their title-winning campaign but Szoboszlai insists that is not fatal to their ambitions.
"The season is long. If we were seven points clear at this stage nobody would be saying we had won the league already," he said ahead of the trip to Manchester City, one place above them in second.
"Last season when we were leading the way, we just stayed calm and kept on going because anything can happen.
"We just need to focus on ourselves, win our games and then let's see what other teams are doing.
"When everything works, everyone is happy and it's all positive, it's easy to stick together.
"The hardest thing is when you find yourself in a position where we were a few weeks ago but even then we stuck together and kept on going, believing it would turn for us."
Guardiola: Long way to go in title race
14:52 , Giuseppe MuroPep Guardiola admits it may seem like stopping Arsenal is "almost impossible" - but the Manchester City boss is well aware titles are not won in November.
Today’s showdown is important for both clubs as they look to keep the pressure on the Gunners at the top of the table.
Guardiola said: "If they continue this way - they play games, they don't concede goals, not even clear chances, and they win and win.
"Oh my God, it will be almost impossible, but always you expect you will be better and they can drop points. All we can do is win our games and be there close.
"They have to come here, and there are many things in the season that we will experience.
"It's exceptional what they have been doing for two or three seasons. It looks like every time it's closer.
"But we are in early November, and early November nobody wins the title. You can lose it, but nobody wins the title."
Head to head history and results
14:46 , Giuseppe MuroMan City wins: 60
Liverpool wins: 110
Draws: 58
Man City vs Liverpool stats
14:38 , Giuseppe Muro- Manchester City lost both Premier League meetings with Liverpool last season, as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 12 against them (W4 D6)
- Manchester City are the only team yet to score a Premier League goal via a set piece this season, with all 20 of their goals coming from open play
- Liverpool put an end to their four game losing run in the Premier League by beating Aston Villa 2-0. However, they have lost their last three away from home and have not lost four on the bounce on their travels since April 2012
- Liverpool won this fixture 2-0 last season but have not won consecutive away league games against Man City since a run of three between 1987 and 1991
Man City vs Liverpool match odds
14:30 , Giuseppe MuroMan City to win: 10/11
Liverpool to win: 14/5
Draw: 29/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change)
Prediction
14:22 , Giuseppe MuroBoth teams will view this as a must-win fixture.
Questions marks still remain over Liverpool despite back-to-back wins as their away form in the Premier League is a concern.
At the same time, City are beginning to click and it’s difficult to look past Erling Haaland continuing his excellent goalscoring form.
Liverpool team news
14:14 , Giuseppe MuroLiverpool are set to have Alexander Isak back in their squad.
Isak has missed the last four matches with a groin injury but the £125million summer signing returned to training on Friday and hopes to feature at the Etihad Stadium.
Arne Slot has warned it will take time for Isak to get back up to full speed and he is likely to start on the bench, with Hugo Ekitike set to lead the line.
Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson remain sidelined and Slot must be tempted to stick with the same Liverpool team that beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League in midweek, in what was their most complete performance of the season.
Man City team news
14:05 , Giuseppe MuroPep Guardiola has suggested Rodri will not be in the Manchester City squad.
Rodri is available again following his latest return as a late substitute against Bournemouth last weekend, but Guardiola has warned City must be “careful” with the midfielder.
He was not in the squad for the midweek Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund and, speaking ahead of the Liverpool game, Guardiola said: “We'll see but I think we won't take a risk.”
Nico Gonzalez and Phil Foden are both set for starts and the big question for Guardiola is which two of Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki will join them in the team.
How to watch
14:00 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 4pm GMT on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR ahead of kick-off at 4.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights shortly after the final whistle with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT.
Good afternoon!
13:59 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City vs Liverpool!
What could be a huge day in the title race as these two old rivals lock horns at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal’s draw at Sunderland yesterday has opened the door for Manchester City or Liverpool to close the gap to the Premier League leaders. Can either take full advantage?
We’ll have all the latest updates and build-up right here, ahead of kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
