ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER // Liverpool moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a convincing performance and win against Manchester City. Having now faced Pep Guardiola twice with the Reds, Arne Slot has won well on both occasions.
Mohamed Salah put his side in front within 15 minutes before Dominik Szoboszlai made it 2-0 before half-time. And while no more goals came after the interval, there was no need from a Reds perspective. They looked in control and defended well, with Alisson Becker never truly tested thanks to the hard work of those in front of him.
Next up for Liverpool is Newcastle United, with the Reds nearly out of the other side of a tricky run of five games in 15 days. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the latest game unfolded.
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Mohamed Salah shows up again
Mohamed Salah was one goal behind Billy Liddell in the all-time Liverpool goalscoring charts heading into the game — and he will already have Roger Hunt, 45 ahead before kick-off, in his sights. It took under 15 minutes for him to draw level with Liverpool legend Liddell and he looked in no mood to slow down.
Josko Gvardiol, playing at left-back, couldn't cope with his changes of direction and when the chance to put his team in front presented itself, he was the ideal person to take it. Salah scored, taking his season tally to 30, with a further 20 assists on top of that. They really are Messi-like numbers: yet another message in the period in which news on a possible new contract is eagerly awaited.
Arne Slot ploy works a treat
With Cody Gakpo returning to the bench after picking up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Everton, Liverpool had more options in reserve on the bench. With the four senior attackers who were not chosen to start — plus Harvey Elliott — there was more than enough in terms of game-changers waiting in reserve.
Arne Slot, though, made the perfect choice with his front three. Curtis Jones played down the middle and excelled with his pressing, while Luis Diaz is best off the left flank. Diogo Jota has started a lot since coming back from injury but it doesn't say much about Darwin Nunez, who missed a sitter midweek, that he wasn't picked and an out-of-position midfielder was.
It absolutely proved to be the right call, though. Slot used the false nine tactic that Guardiola made famous with his use of Lionel Messi at Barcelona against him and the Manchester City defense couldn't live with it.
Midfield revitalized
Looking lethargic in midfield at times lately, Liverpool looked much more filled with energy here. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister looked shattered against Wolves a week ago and then played another grueling match at Villa Park. Here, though, they found some running power (something Dominik Szoboszlai has never lost).
Gravenberch and Mac Allister were even closer together than they often are and ensured the Liverpool defense was fully protected. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden barely had a sniff of Alisson Becker's goal and the Reds always felt in a good amount of control. Slot spoke before the game about "suffering" at times but that didn't really end up happening.
No Erling Haaland, no problem
There was no Erling Haaland for Manchester City but a very attack-minded team was named, including Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden in midfield. There were alternatives — Pep Guardiola could have gone with Bernardo Silva, a veteran of this fixture, or Mateo Kovacic or Ilkay Gundogan — but he opted to go for it.
Haaland has only won one of his eight games against Liverpool but the Norwegian has also scored more than a third of the host's goals this season in the Premier League. Without him, much pressure was placed on the shoulders of January signing Omar Marmoush to step up and show why he is the ideal replacement for Julian Alvarez.
It might not have been any different with Haaland, who is a finisher rather than a playmaker, but the Liverpool backline did well not to give much away. There were no gaps and Marmoush, who netted a hat-trick last weekend against Newcastle, was stifled. Jeremy Doku was bright to a point but his dribbles never really went anywhere. There was no Haaland, but there was no problem (for Liverpool, at least).
Premier League title grip strengthened
Liverpool knew it had the chance to move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a win. But having not won at the Etihad since April 2018 (in the Champions League) or November 2015 (domestically), it was never going to be easy.
A banner reading "This Means Four" was unveiled near the away fans, referring to the host's Premier League title run. That won't be continuing this time around with Liverpool very much in the driving seat.
This was the performance of a team with the bit between its teeth. Mature, controlled and little up defensively, the quality in the final third that Slot can call upon was always going to tell. Liverpool swiftly took control of the game and very much has its grip on the league standings too.
