Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City: What Were The Main Talking Points As Arne Slot’s Side Lay Down Another Heavyweight Title Marker?

With all eyes falling on Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool laid down another heavyweight marker as they stormed their way to a 2-0 victory against Manchester City.

Getting off to a dream start and backed by a vocal home support in the red half of Merseyside, Arne Slot’s side took an early lead in the first 12 minuets as Cody Gakpo tapped home from close range.

While the defending champions might asked more questions here, the Sky Blues were heavily outplayed and watched their title dreams take what could be a critical blow at Anfield.

With Liverpool only further underlining their remarkable rise under the former Feyenoord boss, it was attacking talisman Mohamed Salah who wrapped up all three points here as they Egyptian icon powered home from the penalty spot.

Storming past their historic rivals here, Slot’s side now hold a commanding nine-point buffer over the chasing pack and it is hard to argue that they aren’t a landslide title contender this season.

As for Manchester City, at the heart of what has quickly become a record-breaking collapse, the Sky Blues have now failed to win any of their last seven appearances across all competitions and have put just a single point on the board since the end of October.

On an afternoon when Liverpool collected another famous scalp at Anfield, we have taken a look at the key talking points.

There is no stopping Liverpool

Although many around Anfield might have been heartbroken over the summer as they waved off Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have enjoyed what has become a famous rise under the guidance of Slot.

Extending on their 100% Champions League record earlier in the month as they collected another 2-0 win against defending European champions Real Madrid, Sunday’s hosts are firing on all cylinders.

Collecting another famous scalp here and extending their buffer at the top of the table to nine points, the mood around Anfield is at a red-hot high and Liverpool could be looking to complete an iconic European and domestic sweep.

Suffering just a single defeat from any of their first 20 appearances across all competitions, Slot’s runaway leaders have rightfully received a host of praise from across the globe.

Gaining a reputation for their dominance at both ends of the pitch and now winning all of their previous seven showdowns across all competitions, the former Feyenoord boss will be looking for another dominant display on Wednesday night when his squad travel to Newcastle.

City’s crisis continues

Becoming the first club in Premier League history last season as they claimed four consecutive domestic titles, Manchester City appeared to be sat in the driving seat to shatter more records this time around.

However, despite signing off October in the midst of yet another stellar purple patch, Pep Guardiola’s men have come crashing back down to earth in what has been an infamous fashion.

Suffering a remarkable last-gasp Champions League collapse earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 3-3 stalemate against Dutch outfit Feyenoord, Man City find themselves at the heart of a public crisis.

Marking their return from November’s international break with a 4-0 drumming at home against Tottenham, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his squad put just a single point on the board over the past six weeks.

Largely outplayed here, the reigning Premier League champions now sit way down in fifth and it appears that they could have a real challenge on their hands in the race to even secured a top-four finish this season.

Gakpo underlines his importance

While Salah might have continued on another Premier League romp this season amidst ongoing drama over a potential contract extension, he is not the only attacking superstar that is spearheading Liverpool’s title charge.

Although some might have questioned what Gakpo’s role would be in Slot’s new-look squad following the Dutchman’s arrival over the summer, the former PSV starlet has only further underlined his importance at Anfield.

Sweeping home from close range in the opening 12 minutes and doing a stellar job of leading the line in a false nine role, the Holland international has received a huge amount of praise from Slot.

Enjoying what has been a sensational week in the red half of Merseyside after getting on the scoresheet against Real Madrid earlier in the week, Gakpo has certainly found a major clinical touch over the past six weeks.

Along with finding the net against Hungary while away with the Netherlands during November’s international break, the 25-year-old has now scored seven goals in his last nine outings for club and country.

Match Report

Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Gakpo, Salah

Subs: Jones, Quansah, Nunez, Elliot

Manchester City: Ortega, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes, Foden, Silva, Haaland

Subs: De Bruyne, Grealish, Doku, Savinho

Goals: Gakpo (12’), Salah (78’ P)

Yellow Cards: Liverpool: Gravenberch – Manchester City: Nunes, Foden, Akanji

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Chris Kavanagh