In a 2-0 loss at Anfield on Sunday, Manchester City’s problem grew worse, and Liverpool took a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave the Reds their 18th victory in 20 games under Arne Slot, and Cody Gakpo’s goal in the 12th minute was hardly compensation for their dominance in the first half. City is now in fifth place, 11 points behind the dominant leaders, and has lost six of their last seven games. After winning a historic four straight titles, City seemed certain to lose their position as English champions, with Arsenal and Chelsea being Liverpool closest rivals. After blowing a 3-0 lead in the last 15 minutes to draw 3-3, City’s lone point since October 26 even seemed like a loss.
In response, goalie Ederson was dropped by Pep Guardiola, and Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias were added back to the defense.
However, the reigning champs were completely overwhelmed in the first few minutes and did not respond.
Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai caused Stefan Ortega to make excellent stops, and then Virgil van Dijk smashed a header off the post.
In the first quarter, City could not get out of their half, and Gakpo duly scored when he bundled Salah’s alluring cross into the back post.
As Liverpool chances kept coming, Van Dijk smashed another big-headed attempt just missing.
The force of the Anfield crowd has been difficult for City to control, even during their best seasons under Guardiola.
The lone away victory City has had over Liverpool since 2003 is still unreported during the coronavirus-affected 2021–2022.
By eventually maintaining some control at the end of the first half and having Rico Lewis push their first shot on goal just wide, Guardiola’s team did at least manage to stop the bleeding.
Despite having a better start to the second half, City should have been penalized many times for their counterattack.
First, a fantastic ball from Andy Robertson put Gakpo in, and Ortega hurried off his line to stop.
To the dismay of the majority of the 60,000 spectators, Salah then swung a one-on-one with the German goalkeeper over the bar.
City ultimately lost the game-winning second goal due to another mistake deep in their own half.
Walker was robbed by Luis Diaz, who then charged through before Ortega took him down.
In Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League victory against Real Madrid, Salah missed a penalty kick.
To cap off Liverpool’s incredible week, the Egyptian scored his 13th goal of the season from the bottom of the net this time.
In an attempt to salvage a point in the second half, Guardiola substituted Kevin De Bruyne, Savinho, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku.
Van Dijk, who had been dominant until a late moment of inattention should have given City a consolation, sent Erling Haaland off the field, highlighting City’s need on him for goals once more.
He sent the ball to De Bruyne, but the unbeaten Caoimhin Kelleher was too strong.
In the last moments, cries of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” were directed toward Guardiola.
In response, the City manager displayed six fingers, one for each of the seven Premier League titles he had won.
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