Manchester City
Gianluigi Donnarumma Fine save from Szoboszlai showed concentration, though was lucky Van Dijk’s header was ruled out. 8
Matheus Nunes Buccaneering force from right-back and delivered for City’s opener as he again illustrated why he is first-choice in an unfamiliar position. 8
Ruben Días Minor tiff with Van Dijk when wanting ball for the penalty. Scintillating intervention to stop Salah was ticket-price-worthy alone. 8
Josko Gvardiol Smooth operator whose composure epitomised a professional job by Guardiola’s men that marked the great man’s 1,000th game as a manager. 8
Nico O’Reilly Took a knock and continued – manhandling of Salah went unnoticed – but gets assist for Doku’s 20-yard curling piledriver. 8
Nico González “Vamos” the Spaniard yelled after his long shot deflected off Van Dijk’s foot and in. Wirtz devilry caused him to be booked. 8
Bernardo Silva Operated in central midfield ahead of González and the captain was the metronome in blue who delivered. 8
Rayan Cherki A livewire. Wandered infield from right to load up as extra striker – one shot deflected over. Subbed early in second period. 7
Phil Foden Failed to run in on goal when clear in the first half but flitted about knitting City’s effervescent play. 7
Jérémy Doku Electric. Lightning pace and creativity – the Belgian has elevated his game to be a consistent force. Earned City’s penalty and scored a goal of the season contender. 9
Erling Haaland Half-connected when missing early spot-kick. Header for 14th league goal made amends for man who has returned only two barren games this term. 7
Substitutes: Marmoush (Doku 74) 6; Savinho (Cherki 53) 6
Liverpool
Giorgi Mamardashvili Conceded penalty then saved Haaland’s attempt: justice seemed to be done until replays showed his knee tip Doku over. 5
Conor Bradley Mix-up with Konaté led to penalty and tussled with Doku throughout – often having to foul to stop him. Substituted near end. 4
Virgil van Dijk Fine powered header was chalked off after he celebrated and was casual when González’s goal pinged off his foot and in. 4
Ibrahima Konaté Often second when he and Haaland competed, including Norwegian’s header for goal: the centre-back was simply not up to the requisite standard. 4
Andy Robertson Veteran left-back hoofed one pass straight out and was ruled as interfering actor for Van Dijk’s finish when ducking. 4
Ryan Gravenberch For a vaunted holding player the Dutchman failed to hold any City play at bay and so should soul search. 4
Alexis Mac Allister Anonymous as City’s quicksilver style bewildered as it did all in red who, to exaggerate to make the point, were pub-like. Replaced. 4
Dominik Szoboszlai The invisible playmaker was barely passed to – which prompted a second-half moan, but this was a product of Liverpool disjointedness. 5
Mohamed Salah Quiet – far too quiet from Liverpool’s star man. Corner arrowed on to Van Dijk’s head for the captain’s disallowed strike. Spurned late chance. 4
Florian Wirtz The £116m man swapped from the left with £79m man Ekitiké to be No 9 but was as ineffective. Subbed. 5
Hugo Ekitiké A non-event removed on 56 minutes; the Frenchman caused one wag to say they had not realised “he was playing”. 4
Substitutes: Kerkez (Robertson 56) 5; Gakpo (Ekitiké 56) 5; Jones (Mac Allister 73) 5; Gomez (Bradley 83) 5; Chiesa (Wirtz 83) 5
